PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF DENTAL CARIES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM A LOW SOCIO ECONOMIC LOCALITY IN HYDERABAD, INDIA

S. Jyotsna; Md. Siddique Ahmed Khan

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2019

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF DENTAL CARIES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM A LOW SOCIO ECONOMIC LOCALITY IN HYDERABAD, INDIA

S. Jyotsna, Md. Siddique Ahmed Khan

Abstract :

Introduction: In India, the trend indicates dental caries has been consistently increasing both in prevalence and in severity mostly among school going children and its prevalence is multifactorial. No or rare systematic surveillance or real time monitoring on the oral health problems is available, especially among the children belonging to low socio–economic class, studying in municipal schools. Aim: So, the current study was planned to collect the data on prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs to provide preventive care. Settings and design: It was a descriptive type of epidemiological study and the design adopted for the study was cross–sectional. No active intervention and follow–up examinations were performed. Method: A total of 300 school children of the age 9 to 13 years age group were examined for the study. The study population was categorized based on age, sex, location, and socioeconomic status using a pre–tested semi–structured questionnaire for face to face interview followed by oral examination by trained dental experts. Conclusion:This study provided us the high prevalence of dental caries shows an urgent need for implementing better oral hygiene practices among school children through active involvement of parents and teachers. The baseline data, using which treatment was provided to all the children screened. The children were provided treatment at the camp site/dental hospital/satellite centers and primary health care centers according to the facilities available.