The oral hygiene and gingival health of paraplegic inpatients--a cross-sectional survey.

Physical and/or mental handicaps are known to directly or indirectly compromise hygiene habits including oral hygiene. It is recommended that handicapped patients, their parents or care workers require from an early stage dental health education and active involvement in preventive programmes. This study surveyed the oral hygiene of paraplegic patients in a specialised centre to determine their oral hygiene needs. Most patients had moderate to poor oral hygiene and gingivitis was prevalent and severe. Plaque and gingivitis was increased in quadriplegic compared to hemiplegic patients. The data indicate that as part of rehabilitation of paraplegic patients there is a need for oral hygiene programmes to be established.