Atopic dermatitis and dental manifestations

BACKGROUND: atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease associated with epidermal dysfunction commonly seen in children. AIM/OBJECTIVE: aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between atopic dermatitis and dental diseases in paediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: an observational study was conducted by the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Policlinico Tor Vergata among a group of 300 children, between 2 and 17 years of age and of both genders, for a period of 6 months from January 2013 to June 2013. Sociodemographic data including race, gender, and age were collected. Clinical and dermatological examinations were performed in all patients; family and medical history of atopy was recorded for each patient and relatives. RESULTS: 300 patients, aged between 2 and 17 years, with mean age of 8.9 (±2.12), were enrolled; 90/300 (30%) were affected by atopic dermatitis. Of those, 69/90 (76,6%) had a medical history of spoil habit, 49/90 (54%) had caries, 58/90 (64,4%) had malocclusion disease, 13/90 (14,4%) had anatomical dental abnormalities. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in the current investigation we found a higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis in pediatric dentistry patients compared to the general population suggesting that dental diseases could be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.