Findings from a study conducted by experts revealed that children and adolescents living with HIV are
more likely to be affected by oral diseases compared to those without the virus.
Children aged between 6 years and 12 years who are mostly transitioning between primary to
permanent teeth were the targeted children in the stud. A higher percentage of them were found to be
suffering from various dental related diseases.
Untreated dental carries, dry mouth and mouth ulcers were most prevalent in the children who were
sampled. Even though the children had a relevantly high CD4 count during the time of the study, their
dental health was found to be on the lower side of OHRQoL.
Besides living with HIV which makes their immunity compromised, the children and youth have poor
OHRQoL levels because of little to no dental hygiene education of their primary care givers who are
responsible for their health.
The scholars concluded that Kenyan children and adolescents living with HIV are more prone to getting
oral diseases and most go untreated hence giving them a poor oral health-related quality of life.
More information on the study can be found here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23800844221087951
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