Page 49 - MDA MIDEC 2024 Programme Book

ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

P006 Name of Presenter: Lee Su Mun, Kajang Hospital, Selangor
Title of Presentation: An Audit of Ankyloglossia Cases in the Paediatric Dental Department,
Kajang Hospital, Selangor.

Abstract
Lee SM 1,*, Bavani Soovulamah S. 1, Thaarani V. 1
1 Paediatric Dental Department, Kajang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction: Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue tie is a condition where the lingual frenum is shorter and
tighter than usual, resulting in restricted tongue movement and may further lead to issues with feeding
and/or speech.
Objective: This is an audit looking into the referral patterns of ankyloglossia cases that were referred to the
Paediatric Dental Department, Kajang Hospital, Selangor.
Methodology: A retrospective analysis was performed on dental records of patients referred to the clinic
with ankyloglossia from January to December 2023. Data on presenting complaints, feeding and/or
speech issues, referrer details as well as post-frenotomy issues/successes were captured. The degree of
ankyloglossia (when possible) was assessed using the Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool (BTAT) and Tongue-
tie and Breastfed Babies (TABBY).
Result: A total of 38 patients were referred and a definitive diagnosis was made in 81.6% of patients. The
cases ranged from ≤ 6 months (81.6%), 6 to 11 months old (5.3%), 1 to 2 years old (7.9%) and ≥2 years (5.3%).
BTAT and TABBY was used to grade the cases from normal tongue (18.4%), mild (39.5%), moderate (26.3%)
and severe (15.8%). Most cases were incidental findings (52.6%) and 38.6% cited difficulty in breastfeeding as
reason for referral. The majority were direct referrals from the Special Care Nursery (SCN) Kajang Hospital
(34.2%) and Primary Health Clinics from the Hulu Langat district (26.3%). Chairside or bedside frenotomy
procedures were completed in 28.9% of cases with 100% improvement in breastfeeding reported post
procedure.
Conclusion: Ankyloglossia is a common finding among infants and children which may lead to functional
disturbances. Surgical management of ankyloglossia is indicated when there is functional as well as marked
anatomical disruption. From our study, the majority of referrals were made by medical doctors. Parents who
notice a tongue-tie are likely to first turn to their paediatrician or medical doctor for advice. As paediatric
dentists are trained to diagnose and manage ankyloglossia, we work closely with our medical colleagues in
treating these cases.
Key words: Tongue tie, Paediatric dentistry, Kajang

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