A study on the dental problems of school children

Abstract

Background: Two major oral disease, dental caries and periodontal disease are ancient and widespread. Approaches to deal with these two oral disease have neither been preventive nor curative, but rather symptomatic and reparative . We did study of the dental problems of school children among the age group of 12 to 18 years. Methods: A cross sectional and point prevalence study was undertaken on the dental problems among school children belonging to 8 th , 9 th and 10 th standards of four schools in the study area. Sample size was chosen to be 333 on the basis of simple random sampling technique. A pre designed and pre tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: In total, 333 children were examined, among which 167 were boys and 166 were girls. Among these 196 children were found to be having dental problems. Overall prevalence of deposits, gum disease and cavities was found to be 41.4%, 26.72% and 22.22% respectively in the total sample. The prevalence of caries in the age groups was found to be 44.4% in 11-13 years, 58.82% in 14-15 years 67.79% in 16 and above . Conclusions: In total, 333 children were examined, among which 167 were boys and 166 were girls. Among these 196 children were found to be having dental problems. Overall prevalence of deposits, gum disease and cavities was found to be 41.4%, 26.72% and 22.22% respectively in the total sample. The prevalence of caries in the age groups was found to be 44.4% in 11-13 years, 58.82% in 14-15 years 67.79% in 16 and above.