Oral hygiene, periodontal status and treatment needs in 12 years old students, Castro-Chile, 2014.

Abstract

To determine the level of oral hygiene, periodontal status and treatment needs in 12 years old students in Castro City, Los Lagos region, during March and April of 2014, indicating if there are differences between men and women. A cross-sectional study was carried out. 242 12 years old students from Castro´s municipal and subsidized private schools were selected through a stratified random sample from each school. Students were evaluated by a calibrated examiner, to determine the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Data were transferred to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and statistically analyzed to calculate amount and percentage of the variables, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between gender. 59.5% of the students have a regular hygiene. Also, 86.4% of the adolescents have gingivitis and 13.6% of them have periodontitis. The periodontal treatment needs indicates that 58% of the students requires oral hygiene instructions and scaling. No statistically significant differences were found between gender. There is a higher prevalence of periodontal diseases in Castro than the regional and national reference in 12 years old adolescents associated with a regular oral hygiene. It is necessary to teach and promote specific public health strategies based on epidemiological data.