Baseline assessment of oral health status of ashram schools in Wardha District

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is an essential and vital component of overall health and is associated with much more than just healthy teeth. Ashram schools are one of the initiatives of the government of India for providing education to the children of tribal communities. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral health care initiatives in reducing oral morbidities by improving oral health care behaviour amongst ashram school students. Method: 8 ashram schools were selected for the study. Teachers from 8 Ashram schools attended the one-day Orientation Workshop. A qualitative (semi-structured interview of teachers) and quantitative (survey) method was undertaken for baseline assessment in both the groups. The baseline assessment targeted on detection of dental caries, gingival and periodontal health dietary habits and tobacco chewing habit. Results: The major weaknesses of Ashram schools were poor training of teachers in detecting health problem and lack of timely treatment of illnesses. Students are from poor and low socio-economic strata of disadvantaged sections of the society. In baseline assessment in the control group, 32% of students had Caries. In the control group, 57.42% of students had the presence of the periodontal problem which increases to 63.58 %, in the control group, 28.85% of students had the presence of fluorosis which increases to 33.64%. Discussion: The oral morbidities during baseline assessment in all the ashram schools was examined. 33.28 % of students have tooth decay, whereas 67% of students detected with bleeding gums. The fluorosis was found to be in 38.28% of students and teeth which undergone minor trauma (enamel fracture, dentinal fractures) were seen with 9.14 % students. Conclusion: This study initiates the thought-provoking response for the dental educators who carry out camps in different set-ups and indifferent population. The oral morbidities during baseline assessment in all the ashram schools was examined. 33.28 % of students have tooth decay, whereas 67% of students detected with bleeding gums. The fluorosis was found to be in 38.28% of students and teeth which undergone minor trauma (enamel fracture, dentinal fractures) were seen with 9.14 % students. Conclusion: This study initiates the thought-provoking response for the dental educators who carry out camps in different set-ups and indifferent population.