Dental caries, oral hygiene skills, and nutritional skills of Sisian schoolchildren aged 12

Abstract

Dental caries causes teeth loss, aesthetic problems, inflammation of the gums and periodonteum and affects chewing. Many factors such as lack of oral hygiene and proper nutrition skills are responsible for dental caries development. In Sisian region, Armenia, the prevalence of dental caries among children was about 80 percent in 2003. This study assessed the association between dental caries, oral hygiene and nutritional skills, among Sisian schoolchildren aged 12. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The sample size was calculated considering the 80 percent prevalence of dental caries, and 80 percent response rate. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study population (n=126).The statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS 11.0 and STATA 7.0 statistical packages. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to find and assess the association between different covariates and DMFT score.The survey revealed that the prevalence of dental caries among 12 years old children was 86 percent. The mean DMFT score was 2.84 ±1.95. Dietary habits appeared to not affect the DMFT score. The situation was different regarding oral hygiene skills. Most of the participants (79 percent) did not have proper oral hygiene skills. The regression analysis suggested that daily twice teeth brushing could be protective against dental caries (regression coefficient 0.7P=0.043). It was revealed also, that rural residence is associated with DMFT score (regression coefficient=1.1, P=.007). Results indicate a need to improve oral health skills and preventive practices among the study population. Further research is needed in investigating the possible causes of association between the place of the residence and dental caries. In addition, this survey revealed that schools and dental clinics did not participate in oral health encouragement, thus this study recommends including schools and dental clinics in oral health promotion campaigns among children.