Behavior analysis in Down's Syndrome patients

One examiner observed global behavior of patients during a dental care session, guided by a behavioral scale.

Severe periodontitis was defined by the presence of ≥ 2 interproximal sites in different teeth with clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥ 6mm and ≥1 interproximal site with pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥5mm. Moderate periodontitis was defined by the presence of ≥ 2 interproximal sites in different teeth with CAL ≥ 4mm or ≥ 2 interproximal sites in different teeth with PPD ≥5mm. Mild periodontitis was defined as ≥ 2 interproximal sites in different teeth with ≥ 3 mm CAL and ≥ 2 interproximal sites in different teeth with ≥ 4 mm PPD or at least 1 site with PPD ≥ 5 mm (20,21). Gingivitis was determined as follows: Subjects were considered healthy if presented PPD ≤3mm/BOP extent scores < 10% and with gingivitis if presented PPD ≤3mm/ bleeding on probing (BOP) extent scores >10%. Prevalence of periodontal disease was the sum of gingivitis, mild, moderate and severe periodontitis.

Behavioral aspects: Interaction to evaluator, Communicative intention, Attention time, Response to conversation, Comprehension of concrete/no concrete situations with/without visual support, Parental interference, Acceptance of activities, Mimic, Eye contact, Participation in the dialogue (speech), Logical time sequence, Dialogue keeping, Word production

Scores: 0 - absence, 1 - strictly presented, 2 - evidently presented.