Oral health behaviors of preschool children with cerebral palsy: a case-control community-based study.

To describe and compare the oral health behaviors of preschool children with and without cerebral palsy (CP), and to assess the oral health knowledge and attitudes of their primary caregivers (PCGs). Seventy-two preschool children with CP were recruited from 23 Special Child Care Centers in Hong Kong. An age- (±3 months) and gender-matched sample of children from mainstream preschools was recruited as a "control group." Assessment of children's oral health behaviors and the PCGs' oral health knowledge and attitudes was conducted using questionnaires. Preschool children with CP were less likely to have ever attended a dentist (p < 0.05). Tooth brushing frequency was similar between the two groups (p > 0.05), but PCGs of children with CP more frequently reported provision of tooth brushing assistance to their children (p < 0.001). PCGs in both groups had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes (p > 0.05). Difference in oral health behaviors existed between preschool children with and without CP. PCGs of children with and without CP had similar oral health knowledge and attitudes.