Exploring the Oral Health Status of Children and Parental Perspectives Regarding Knowledge, Awareness, and Dental Health Practices in the Tribal Communities of Melghat: An Epidemiological Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and aim Gaining insights into the oral health challenges and specific dental practices of the tribal population in Melghat is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This study aims to lay the foundation for targeted interventions that can enhance the oral health and overall well-being of tribal children aged two to 14 years in the Melghat region of Amravati district. This study aimed to assess oral health, hygiene practices, and the effects of malnutrition on oral tissues in tribal children aged two to 14 years, as well as to evaluate parental knowledge and practices regarding children's oral health in Melghat, a remote tribal area.  Materials and methods The study included 1,023 tribal children aged two to 14 years. The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT/def) and Hypomineralized Second Primary Molars (HSPM) indices were assessed for all participants, while the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) was recorded for children in the four-10- and 10-14-year age groups. In addition to the dental examination of the children, a questionnaire was administered to assess parental knowledge, awareness, and practices related to their children's oral health. This questionnaire was completed by the parents with assistance from local translators. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. To compare groups, independent samples t-tests were utilized, and chi-square tests were conducted to evaluate differences in proportions. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.  Results It was observed that around 1,001 parents, that is, 98% of parents, did brush their child's teeth with a toothbrush and paste. Nine hundred parents, that is, around 88% parents, brush their child's teeth once a day. No significant difference was seen regarding actions taken when a child has a toothache (p > 0.05). The majority of parents, that is, around 767 parents, breastfeed their child for two years (75%). The mean DMFT was highest in children aged six to 10 years (5.23). Age-wise comparison of children with CI-S revealed that the mean CI-S at 6six to 10 years of age was 3.98, while the mean CI-S for 10-14 years was 3.65. The mean DI-S at six to 10 years of age was 4.35 and the standard deviation was 2.19, while the mean DI-S for 10-14 years was 5.01, and this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). DI-S and CI-S scores showed minimal age variation. MIH was found in 24.2% of the children, with 72% showing mild forms and 28% showing severe cases, indicating that one in every four children had MIH, and among those, one in four experienced a severe form. HSPM was identified in 14.5% of the children, with 91.7% of cases being mild and 8.3% severe. High prevalence of dental attrition and fluorosis was observed within this community. Conclusion Tribal children in Melghat face severe oral health challenges, including high DMFT, dental fluorosis, poor oral hygiene, and MIH. While some parental awareness exists, significant gaps remain, especially in diet and preventive care. Raising awareness and implementing targeted interventions on diet, prevention, and oral hygiene are crucial to improving oral health outcomes.