СТОМАТОЛОГІЧНИЙ СТАТУС ДІТЕЙ ІЗ ВРОДЖЕНИМИ ВАДАМИ СЕРЦЯ (ОГЛЯДОВА СТАТТЯ)

The relationship between oral health and cardiovascular disease in childhood has attracted increasing research interest; however, the dental status of children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) remains insufficiently characterized. Available evidence is heterogeneous, with considerable variation in study populations, clinical parameters, and methodological approaches. In particular, data on the prevalence and severity of dental caries, periodontal conditions, oral hygiene, and microbiological characteristics in children with CHDs remain limited and inconsistent. This evidence gap may impede the development of evidencebased preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to this vulnerable population. Aim. To synthesize and critically evaluate the available evidence on dental status in children with congenital heart defects, with particular emphasis on oral hygiene, dental caries, periodontal health, microbiological characteristics, and the potential clinical and prognostic implications of oral health abnormalities. Materials and Methods. A narrative review of the literature published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Original research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses addressing oral health in children with congenital heart defects or cardiovascular diseases were considered. The analysis focused on epidemiological characteristics, dental caries experience, periodontal and gingival status, oral hygiene, microbiological findings, disease severity, and their potential implications for pediatric dental practice. Results. The reviewed evidence indicates that children with congenital heart defects tend to have poorer oral hygiene and a higher burden of dental caries than healthy children. Increased caries experience, assessed using the DMFT/dmft indices, has been reported in both primary and permanent dentitions. Children with CHDs also demonstrate less favorable gingival and periodontal parameters, including higher gingival index scores. Several studies have reported increased levels or prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity and saliva of these patients, which may be clinically relevant given the increased susceptibility of certain CHD populations to infective endocarditis. The available evidence further suggests a possible association between the severity of cardiac disease and oral health status. Children with moderate-to-severe forms of CHDs have been reported to exhibit greater caries experience and a higher frequency of dental complications, including pulpal and periapical involvement reflected by PUFA/pufa indices, compared with children with less severe cardiac abnormalities. However, substantial heterogeneity among studies limits direct comparisons and precludes definitive conclusions regarding causality. Conclusions. Current evidence suggests that children with congenital heart defects constitute a high-risk group for poor oral health, particularly dental caries, inadequate oral hygiene, and gingival/periodontal disorders. Nevertheless, the available literature remains heterogeneous and insufficient to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association between CHDs and oral health. Further well-designed prospective and longitudinal studies using standardized diagnostic criteria and clinically relevant outcome measures are warranted. Early dental assessment, individualized preventive care, and interdisciplinary collaboration between pediatric dentists, pediatricians, and cardiologists may contribute to reducing oral disease burden and minimizing potentially preventable complications in children with congenital heart defects.