Dental caries prevalence in children with congenital heart disease – a systematic review

Abstract

Aim

Poor oral health is related with bacteraemia that may lead to endocarditis in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review to compare caries prevalence in children (<18 years of age) with CHD with healthy children.

Material and methods

A literature search of studies from two online databases (Pubmed (MEDLINE) and Scopus) published from January 2000 to October 2019 using Medical subject heading terms Congenital Heart Disease, Congenital Heart Defect, and Caries was done, and manual search from the reference lists of selected publications. PICO (Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison group, and Outcome) criteria was applied. Quality of the publications was assessed with the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Results

The search resulted in 151 articles of which nine fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Caries prevalence was significantly higher in children with CHD compared to healthy children in three out of nine studies. Information on predisposing background factors was limited but difference in caries prevalence was not attributed to SES. The quality of the studies varied.

Conclusions

Although evidence is limited, the current literature indicates that children with CHD experience a higher caries prevalence compared to healthy children.