Oral function in the physically handicapped with or without severe mental retardation.

Neuromotor handicaps and mental retardation have been associated with various types of dental malocclusions and oral dysfunction. In this study the specific role of mental status on oral functions was examined. For this, oral function capacity was compared between two groups of physically handicapped children and young adults, one with a physical handicap alone, the other with mental retardation. The latter were found not only to be significantly more motor-impaired in general, but also were found to have significantly more deficient oral functions (speech, swallowing and chewing). Mentally retarded also showed significantly more frequent involvement with regard to some other characteristics of oral function and oral conditions, such as lip seal, tongue posture and drooling. As oral dysfunction may cause dental malocclusion, it seems likely that the deviating or immature oral functions in the mentally retarded group may explain earlier observations of a higher prevalence and often more severe malocclusion in these individuals, compared to those who are handicapped.