Year : 2016

Volume : Volume 6

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Harleen Bali.
harleen_bali@yahoo.com

Abstract

Background:  The global healthand international development communities are nearer to their goal of a poliofree world despite substantial political and logistical hurdles. India became polio-free in Feb 25, 2012. Though the prevalence of communicable diseases is reducing, the residual disability as a consequence of it still marks the affected population, as in the case of bulbar/ bulbospinal poliomyelitis cases showing paralysis of facial muscles and muscles of mastication, facial asymmetry, muscular atrophy, difficulty in swallowing or phonation. Not only is there a need to empathize, if not understand, the pain of being physically disabled, we should do all that is in our reach to prevent it and failing that; recognise it at the earliest. This case report highlights orofacial complications leading to facial asymmetry of both hard and soft tissues, in a case of bulbospinal poliomyelitis.

Keywords: Poliomyelitis, oral motor function, facial asymmetry, oral health.