Behavioral and oral health interaction: Evaluating ADHD symptoms, dentofacial anomalies and trauma among mouth breathing children aged 6-12 years

Objectives To determine the prevalence of dentofacial anomalies and the association of dental trauma and symptoms of ADHD as measured by DSM-5 criteria in a cohort of children aged 6–12 years with mouth breathing habit. Methods A cross-sectional study based on results of a mouth-breathing test was conducted on 109 consecutively selected children, aged 6-12 years. The children were screened for symptoms suggestive of ADHD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM 5) criteria, and were referred to a pediatrician for a confirmatory final diagnosis of ADHD. Dentofacial anomalies were assessed using the ROMA Index, and the dental trauma was assessed by a single calibrated examiner. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 109 children, 71 were males, and 38 were females. About 46.8 % of mouth breathers showed symptoms of hyperactivity, and 34.9% showed inattention. Class I malocclusion was observed in the majority of participants (84.4%), while 15.6% had Class II malocclusion. A high proportion of children exhibited increased overjet (83.5%) and lip incompetence (83.5%). The prevalence of anterior dental trauma was 15.6%. A significant association was observed between dental trauma and inattention. Conclusion The present study demonstrated a high prevalence of dentofacial anomalies and ADHD symptoms among mouth-breathing children, with a statistically significant association between inattention and an increased risk of dental trauma.