Abstract
Introduction: Tooth decay (dental caries) affects 532 million children worldwide. Often these teeth are removed when there is an infection (abscess) under the tooth. However, the association between teeth removal and children's speech remains unclear. This case series, part of an ongoing cohort study, investigates the potential impact of dental extractions on children's speech.
Aim: To explore the association between the removal of the upper primary front teeth and children’s speech.
Method: Three children planned for the removal of one or more upper front teeth were recruited. A dual-qualified speech-language pathologist and dentist, administered the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology before and approximately one month after the dental treatment. Speech samples were analysed.
Results: The first participant was a 5-year-old girl with four upper primary incisors removed. Her pre-operative and post-operative percentage of consonants correct (PCC) scores were 89.6% and 90.6%, respectively. The second participant was a 4-year-old boy who had three upper primary incisors removed (PCC pre-operative 78.0%; post-op 75.8%), and the third was a 3-year-old girl with four upper primary incisors removed (PCC pre-operative 56.1%; post-op 59.6%).
Conclusion: Removal of decayed teeth was beneficial (e.g., reduced pain, infection, smell and discomfort) and did not demonstrate a clinically significant impact on speech production. Therefore, interdisciplinary care between speech-language pathologists and dentists can ensure optimal health outcomes for children with tooth decay.
Aim: To explore the association between the removal of the upper primary front teeth and children’s speech.
Method: Three children planned for the removal of one or more upper front teeth were recruited. A dual-qualified speech-language pathologist and dentist, administered the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology before and approximately one month after the dental treatment. Speech samples were analysed.
Results: The first participant was a 5-year-old girl with four upper primary incisors removed. Her pre-operative and post-operative percentage of consonants correct (PCC) scores were 89.6% and 90.6%, respectively. The second participant was a 4-year-old boy who had three upper primary incisors removed (PCC pre-operative 78.0%; post-op 75.8%), and the third was a 3-year-old girl with four upper primary incisors removed (PCC pre-operative 56.1%; post-op 59.6%).
Conclusion: Removal of decayed teeth was beneficial (e.g., reduced pain, infection, smell and discomfort) and did not demonstrate a clinically significant impact on speech production. Therefore, interdisciplinary care between speech-language pathologists and dentists can ensure optimal health outcomes for children with tooth decay.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Aug 2023 |
| Event | 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) 2023: IALP 2023 - The Aotea Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Duration: 20 Aug 2023 → 24 Aug 2023 https://ialpauckland2023.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP) 2023 |
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| Abbreviated title | Together Towards Tomorrow |
| Country/Territory | New Zealand |
| City | Auckland |
| Period | 20/08/23 → 24/08/23 |
| Other | The IALP World Congress occurs every three (3) years – Triennial. It brings together the global community of affiliated societies to one event, hosted by regional national societies/Local Organising Committee. IALP Vision IALP has a global vision to facilitate better understanding, knowledge and care of all those with communication and swallowing disorders. IALP Mission The mission of IALP is to improve the quality of life of individuals with disorders of communication, speech, language, voice, hearing and swallowing. IALP will: i. facilitate science, education, and clinical practice through international cooperation and collaboration; ii. create and share knowledge, skills and information; iii. provide a platform for international networking and advocacy. |
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