Oral health status of male prisoners in Italy

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of dental and root caries, periodontal conditions, and prosthetic status of prison inmates. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Penal institutions in the Calabria region (Italy). PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 544 prisoners. METHODS: Participants underwent a structured interview by trained interviewers and a dental examination. RESULTS: Only 2% had no history of caries. Mean DMFT and DMFS were 9.8 and 37.6 and missing teeth was the most prevalent component of the DMFT. Higher DMFT was found among older prisoners, having regular dental attendance, higher plaque index, and in those with a lower frequency of a tooth brushing habit. Conservative care and extractions were required by 61.9% and 33.3%. The mean plaque and gingival indices were 0.74 and 0.75; 10.5% had healthy periodontal tissues. The highest number of individuals was classified as having a CPI of 2, whereas 5% had at least one sextant with a CPI score of 4. Deep pockets were more likely in older subjects and in those with a lower frequency of a tooth brushing habit. A minimum of oral hygiene instruction was needed by 89.6%. Seven subjects were edentulous and 85.1% had a prosthetic treatment need. CONCLUSIONS: This survey emphasises the need for programmes to improve the oral health of prisoners.     

Epidemiology of Dental Caries among Adults in a Rural Area in India

Background: Data on epidemiology of dental caries of adults in rural India appear to be sparse. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the oral health status and dental treatment needs of a rural Indian population. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 189 volunteer subjects with a mean age of 34.9 ± 14.2 years and 54% males. Decayed, missing due to caries and filled teeth (DMFT) and tooth surfaces (DMFS) assessed the dental caries experience. Structured interviews collected data on perception of health including oral health, oral hygiene practices and snacking habits. Results: While only 38.1% perceived themselves to be in good or very good dental health, nearly 85% felt the same about general health. The most common sugar exposure was sweetened tea; 75% consumed the beverage at least once a day. More than 80% of the subjects had untreated caries with mean DMFT and DMFS scores of 5.1 ± 3.9 and 13.8 ± 17.8, which lacked any gender differences. Dental treatment needs ranged from 16.9% two-surface fillings to 60.8% one-surface fillings; 23.8% crowns or bridges and 37.6% extractions. Those who perceived themselves to be in better oral health had significantly lower DMFT (4.0 ± 3.2 vs 5.9 ± 4.1) and DMFS (8.4 ± 11.7 vs 17.1 ± 20.0) scores (p < 0.05). A similar trend was observed between perception of general health and DMFT (4.8 ± 3.4 vs 7.0 ± 5.6) and DMFS (11.9 ± 13.7 vs 24.1 ± 30.7) scores. Conclusion: Results indicate high levels of dental caries as well as dental treatment needs among the study participants. Keywords: Dental caries, Rural, Treatment needs, Perception, Gender, Diet, Sugar. How to cite this article: Maru AM, Narendran S. Epidemiology of Dental Caries among Adults in a Rural Area in India. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(3):382-388. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None declared.     

Oral health survey in Haitian and Hamburg children aged 12–15

Abstract— Oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal diseases were surveyed in 1743 children aged 12–15. Of these 879 of Black origin resided in Haiti (West Indies) and 864 of While origin in Hamburg (West Germany). Oral hygiene was assessed using the G reene & V ermillion 'sOHI-S, periodontal status using R amfjord 's PDI and M uhlemann 'S SBI and the caries rate using the DMFT and DMFS indices. Boys of all age groups showed significantly poorer oral hygiene than girls. In the Hamburg children the mean OHI-S was 1.28, in Haitians 1.14. Periodontal diseases showed equal prevalence in Haiti and Hamburg when expressed in PDI, namely 0.59, while SBI was slightly higher in the Haitians, namely 2.58 against 2.21 in the Hamburg children. Hamburg girls showed lower PDI and SBI scores than all boys and Haitian girls. Same degrees of OHI-S caused more severe periodontal diseases among Haitian than among German children. In general, scores of OHI-S, PDI and SBI increased with age except in Haitian girls, who showed a decrease. The DMFT and DMFS of the Haitian children averaged 3.65 and 4.80 respectively, and those of the Hamburg children 8.35 and 21.09.     

Dental fear and adult oral health in Australia

Abstract– Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between dental fear and both dental caries and periodontal indicators. Methods: A three‐stage stratified clustered sample of the Australian adult population completed a computer‐assisted telephone interview followed by a clinical examination. Oral health measures were the DMFT index and its components, periodontitis and gingivitis. A total of 5364 adults aged 18–91 years were dentally examined. Results: Higher dental fear was significantly associated with more decayed teeth (DT), missing teeth (MT) and DMFT. There was an inverted ‘U’ association between dental fear and the number of filled teeth (FT). Periodontitis and gingivitis were not associated with dental fear. The association between dental fear and DMFT was significant for adults aged 18–29 and 30–44 years, but not in older ages. Dental fear was significantly associated with more DT, MT, and DMFT but with fewer FT after controlling for age, sex, income, employment status, tertiary education, dental insurance status and oral hygiene. Conclusion: This study helps reconcile some of the conflicting results of previous studies and establishes that dental fear is associated with more decayed and missing teeth but fewer FT. That people with higher dental fear have significantly more caries experience underlines the importance of identifying and then reducing dental fear as important steps in improving adult oral health.     

Dental status of patients with mental disorders in a Nigerian teaching hospital: a preliminary survey

Although individuals with mental disorders are reported to experience dental problems similar to the general population, evidence suggests they actually have higher risks of dental disease and increased oral health needs. This study describes the dental status of 105 psychiatric outpatients in a Nigerian hospital. Information was obtained from subject interviews, medical records, and an oral examination to determine their dental caries and periodontal disease status. The oral hygiene status of the study participants was poor; the mean oral hygiene index score was 2.7 ± 1.20. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth ranged from 0 to 9 with a mean of 2.3 ± 2.28. Only five subjects (4.9%) had restorations and the mean number of filled teeth was .14 ± .67. The subjects’ age was significantly related to the mean oral hygiene score (p= .005), the mean gingival score (p= .006), and caries occurrence (p= .047). The oral health status of psychiatric patients in Nigeria is poor, indicating the need to provide oral health education and increase access to dental care for these patients.     

Psychological distress and social support are determinants of changing oral health status among an immigrant population from Ethiopia

Vered Y, Soskolne V, Zini A, Livny A, Sgan‐Cohen HD. Psychological distress and social support are determinants of changing oral health status among an immigrant population from Ethiopia. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011; 39: 145–153. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objectives: To examine associations between psychosocial profile (psychological distress and social support) and changing oral health status (dental caries and periodontal disease), among a group of immigrants from Ethiopia to Israel. Methods: Three hundred and forty immigrants, aged 18–75 years, with a mean age of 38.4 ± 13.5 years, comprised the study population and were followed over a 5‐ year period. Dental caries was recorded employing the DMFT index. Periodontal health status was recorded employing the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Participants were interviewed using a structured written questionnaire which included two validated psychosocial scales, for psychological distress and social support. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Among subjects with psychological distress, the adjusted mean caries (DMFT) increment in 2004–2005, since baseline (1999–2000), was 3.52 ± 0.19 when compared to 0.35 ± 0.15 among subjects with no psychological distress (P < 0.001). Correspondingly, the percentage of people with increased periodontal pockets was 40%, when compared to 7%, respectively (P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis employing the DMFT as a continuous variable, and in multiple logistic regression analysis employing the DMFT as a dichotomous variable (% caries versus % caries‐free), the four variables that reached statistical significance as predictors of caries status were previous caries experience, psycholog‐ical distress, social support, and age. Gender, income, and education were not significantly related to current caries prevalence. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the three variables that reached statistical significance as predictors of periodontal disease (shallow and deeppockets) were previous periodontal disease experience, psychological distress, and age. Social support, gender, income, and education were not significantly associated with periodontal disease prevalence. Conclusions: This study presents persuasive evidence that supports the role of psychological distress and social support as determinants of changing oral health levels, among a low socioeconomic, relatively homogenous immigrant minority population.     

Oral health status and dental needs of an autistic population of children and young adults

Behavior of patients with autistic syndrome makes delivery of oral hygiene and dental treatment a problem. In this study, the oral health and needs of two groups of patients with autism were evaluated: noninstitutionalized children with a mean age of 11 and institutionalized adults with a mean age of 22. The latter group had severe periodontal problems; almost half required periodontal surgery. Many of the children also needed periodontal treatment. Adults were found to have lower decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) scores than functionally independent Israeli persons of the same age. This finding was surprising because institutionalized adults are predisposed to development of dental caries; they frequently consume sweets, have poor oral hygiene, and do not use fluoride. Noninstitutionalized children with autism had caries rates that were similar to rates of functionally independent peers.     

Oral health of Indigenous adult public dental patients in Australia

BACKGROUND: Indigenous Australians have been reported in a range of studies to have worse health than non-Indigenous Australians. Among health care card holders, a financially disadvantaged group eligible for public-funded dental care, oral health may also be worse among Indigenous persons. The aims of this study were to examine the oral health of Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous adult public dental patients in terms of caries experience and periodontal status, controlling for age and gender of patient, type of care and geographic location. METHODS: Patients were sampled randomly by state/territory dental services in 2001-2002. Dentists recorded oral health status at the initial visit of a course of care using written instructions. The samples were weighted in proportion to the numbers of public-funded dental patients for each state/territory. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of periodontal pockets of 6+ mm was higher (P < 0.05) among Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous patients (OR = 2.24, 1.34-3.76), after controlling for age and gender of patients, type of care and geographic location. Multivariate negative binomial regression analysis (RR: rate ratio) controlling for age and gender of patients, type of care and geographic location indicated that Indigenous patients had higher numbers of decayed teeth (RR = 1.42) and missing teeth (RR = 1.44) but lower numbers of filled teeth (RR = 0.51) compared to non-Indigenous patients (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the DMFT index, indicating similar cumulative past and present experience of dental caries for Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients. CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous adult public dental patients had worse oral health status than non-Indigenous patients, with a higher percentage of Indigenous patients having periodontal pockets 6+ mm, and Indigenous patients having more decayed and missing teeth. Indigenous patients lack both timely and appropriate preventive and treatment services.     

农村社区儿童口腔健康状况的调查研究

目的　调查农村地区儿童与青少年口腔健康状况 ,为开展农村社区口腔保健项目制订相应对策。方法　采用随机分层、整群抽样的方法 ,抽取两个省的二个乡镇社区 1～ 12岁儿童及 15岁、18岁青少年共计 2 793名。采用WHO的基本调查方法进行龋病与牙周病患病状况的调查 ,分析学龄前无龋儿童与高龋儿童 (龋均 >3)的分布状况 ,以及调查青少年的牙周健康状况 ,评价疾病的分布范围与严重程度 ,以便确定干预的重点。结果　学龄前儿童乳牙患龋水平很高 ,6岁儿童患龋率为 72 .9% ,龋均 3.6 4 ;其中无龋儿童为 2 7.15 % ,高龋儿童 5 2 .2 % ,97%的龋未经治疗。 7～ 12岁儿童乳牙患龋率随年龄增长逐年下降 ,至 12岁仍有乳牙龋残留。恒牙患龋水平很低 ,12岁患龋率 2 1% ,龋均 0 .38,95 %未经治疗。青少年软垢指数为中等水平 ,口腔卫生状况普遍较差 ,牙龈炎与牙石严重 ,浅牙周袋很少 ,无深牙周袋 ,未发现牙周炎问题。结论　农村儿童乳牙龋患严重 ,恒牙龋水平很低 ,大多数龋未经治疗。口腔卫生状况较差 ,牙龈炎、牙石严重。发展农村社区保健项目 ,初级口腔卫生保健应是重点。     

Oral health of homeless adults in Stockholm, Sweden

The aim of the present study was to record and describe the oral condition of homeless adults in Stockholm, Sweden. There have been no clinical studies of the oral health of the homeless in Sweden since the 1970s. The study population comprised 147 homeless individuals (110 M, 37 F) in the age range 22-77 years. All underwent oral examination, including registration of periodontal status and caries data. The results show that homeless adults in Stockholm have fewer remaining teeth than the general population. Because conservative periodontal treatment is expensive and time-consuming, teeth with doubtful prognoses are usually extracted and only those with optimal periodontal health are retained. Another consequence of inadequate periodontal treatment, including insufficient oral hygiene instruction, is the high percentage of tooth surfaces with plaque accumulation. Heavy plaque accumulation will also have an effect on caries progression, expressed in this study as high DMFT values. Loss of teeth is likely to create dental and chewing problems, possibly resulting in increased dental and medical treatment needs.     

Oral health studies of the public health midwifery and nursing students before and after dental treatments

The purpose of this research was to explore the oral health of the Public Health Midwifery and Nursing students of 1987-1988. Fiscal year Budget, totally 107. All were females, age between 17-21 years up. Methods and criteria used in this study were those described in the second edition of the World Health Organization Manual, Oral health survey-Basic Method (1977). The survey was divided into 2 parts. The first part was surveyed before oral health instruction and dental treatment, while the second part was survey after having got one year of oral health instruction and dental treatment. Results revealed that the components influenced upon dental services of 1 the second group were the family income per month and their over confidence of having saved from dental caries. For the above reasons, the second group students took the chance to refer that they did not want to have their dental services in every 12 months. For the first part the Mean DMFT were 2.97, while the Mean DMFS were 6.40 surface per person. The second part had their Mean DMFT 3.37, DMFS 6.87 surface per person. The total mean average of DMFT, DMFS of the first part valued less than the second group 0.40 and 0.47. The student caries status and the periodontal status were different from each other in the statistical values. Even though the dental caries got treatment, mostly both groups still needed for 1-surface fillings. For the periodontal disease, it was found out that the first part got soft debris 100%, while the second part had only 71%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prevalence and severity of dental caries in Libyan schoolchildren

Objectives: To assess prevalence and severity of dental caries, examine gender differences and assess the relationship of dental caries to socioeconomic status in a group of Libyan schoolchildren. Design and setting: A cross sectional observational study with cluster sampling within schools. Participants: A random sample of 791, 12‐year‐olds in 36 elementary public schools in Benghazi. Methods and main outcome measures: Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT and DMFS indices and WHO (1997) criteria. Information about socioeconomic status was collected through a dental health questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 57.8%. The mean DMFT and DMFS indices were 1.68 (SD ± 1.86) and 2.39 (SD ± 3.05) for all subjects and 2.90 (SD ± 1.56) and 4.14 (SD ± 2.97) for subjects with caries experience. Dental caries was more prevalent amongst girls (P = 0.002). There was a statistically significantly negative association between dental caries and the level of father’s education (P = 0.015). Conclusions: While dental caries prevalence in 12 year‐old Libyan children was high, the mean DMFT was low compared with other developing countries, but higher than the WHO goal for year 2020. The high level of untreated caries is a cause for concern, representing a high unmet treatment need.     

Risk factors and risk indicators associated with high caries experience in Swedish 19-year-olds

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors and risk indicators associated with high caries experience (DMFS >or= 10) in 19-year-olds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects (n=800) lived in seven suburbs of Stockholm and answered a structured questionnaire about their parents' education, occupation, and country of birth, as well as their dietary habits, oral hygiene habits, and attitudes to dental care. Dental caries was assessed by clinical and radiographic examination using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), and surfaces (DMFS) indices. Dental plaque (VPI%) and gingival bleeding (GBI%) indices were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 696 subjects (364 M, 332 F) participated in the study. The mean DMFT and DMFS were 3.9 and 5.1, respectively. In 81% of subjects, the DMFT was >or= 1 and 15% had DMFS >or= 10. In the multivariate analysis, the variables significantly associated with high caries experience were: dental fear (p<0.001, odds ratio (OR) 2.8), GBI >or= 15% (p=0.003, OR 2.1), mother born abroad (p=0.007, OR 2.0) and irregular toothbrushing at night (p=0.008, OR 1.9). When all significant variables in the multivariate analysis were present, the cumulative probability of DMFS >or= 10 was 52%. CONCLUSIONS: Dental fear, gingival inflammation, a foreign-born mother, and irregular toothbrushing at night are variables that are strongly associated with high caries experience in 19-year olds. The study indicates that foreign-born parents, oral hygiene habits, and behavioral factors still have a strong impact on dental health in late adolescence.     

Oral health in Latvian 15-year-olds

Oral hygiene, caries and periodontal conditions were assessed in a representative sample of 15-year-old Latvian schoolchildren, comprising 506 subjects. Caries, diagnosed on the cavity level, was detected in 97.6 % of the population. The mean DMFT and DMFS were 8.1 and 14.1, respectively. Although 91% of the children had had restorative treatment, the D component accounted on average for 33% of the DMFS score. Visible dental plaque was found in 98.4% of the children; in a majority (88%) abundant plaque deposits were recorded. Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was assessed by standard WHO methods. Deviation from periodontal health was observed in 90.7% of the children. Calculus was recorded in 26.1% and gingival pockets in 25.9% of the sample. Additionally, 38.7% of the children had gingival bleeding. The mean number of sextants with healthy periodontal conditions was 2.5. Calculus and pocketing averaged 0.6 and 0.4 sextants, respectively. Attachment loss, recorded in 11.7% of the subjects, did not exceed 3 mm. The results showed high caries prevalence, considerable need for treatment and virtual absence of oral hygiene.     

Dentition status and treatment needs among children with impaired hearing attending a special school for the deaf and mute in Udaipur, India

The present cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of caries and treatment needs among 127 institutionalized subjects aged 5-22 years attending a special school for students with hearing impairment in Udaipur City, Rajasthan, India. The data were collected using the methods and standards recommended by the WHO for oral health surveys, 1997. Dentition status and treatment needs along with DMFT, DMFS, dmft, dmfs were recorded using a Type III examination procedure. ANOVA, chi-squared test and multiple regression analysis were conducted using the SPSS software package (version 11.0). The mean DMFT was 2.61. Of the 127 subjects, 111 (87.4 %) needed treatment. Filling of one tooth surface was necessary for 79.5% of the subjects. Pulp treatment was needed in less than 7%. There was a high prevalence (83.92%) of decayed teeth, whereas only 7.14% of subjects had filled teeth. Multiple regression analysis showed that DMFT had a close association with age. Linear regression analysis revealed that age explained a variance of 32% and 25.4% for DMFT and dmft respectively The findings of this study demonstrate that young people with impaired hearing in this region have a high prevalence of dental caries, poor oral hygiene, and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment. This highly alarming situation requires immediate attention.     

Trends in oral hygiene, gingival status and dental caries experience in 13-14-year-old Jordanian school children between 1993 and 1999

Aims : The aim of this survey was to describe the trends in oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries prevalence in 13–14‐year‐old northern Jordanian school children. Method : A dental survey was conducted in 1999, similar to one carried out in 1993, utilising 10 schools (666 pupils) and 20 schools (1,695) with children of 7th grade, respectively. These schools were chosen by a simple random method from the five geographic areas of the city. All participants had dental examinations for oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries experience using the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI.I), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI) and decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS) codes, respectively. Results : Boys had higher plaque and gingival scores than girls in both groups. The mean PI.I and Gl scores of males and females were significantly higher in the 1993 survey than in 1999 (P < 0.05). Also, male and female children examined in 1993 had significantly higher caries experience, as measured by DT, DS, DMFT and DMFS scores than in 1999 (P < 0.01). No differences were found between M and F values of both groups. It is concluded that oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries has improved since 1993.     

Dental health in a group of drug addicts in Italy

The caries prevalence, periodontal health, and oral hygiene status were assessed in 124 drug addicts aged 18-34 yr in Mercato San Severino (Salerno), Italy. The years of drug addiction ranged from 1 to 15 yr. The majority used heroin (96%) but all the subjects indicated that they had used more than one drug. The percentage of drug addicts caries free was 6.5%, ranging from no caries free subjects in the group over 29 yr of age, to 11.4% in the group aged 26-29 yr old. Mean DMFT and DMFS scores for all age groups were 12.9 and 36.2, respectively; mean Periodontal Index (PI) and mean Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) scores were 1.37 and 1.71, respectively. The poor dental health in this target group indicates the need for more extensive collaboration between the social and dental health care sectors.     

Dental health behaviour in relation to caries status among medical and dental undergraduate students of Udaipur district,India

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2008.00346.x
Kumar S, Motwani K, Dak N, Balasubramanyam G, Duraiswamy P, Kulkarni S. Dental health behaviour in relation to caries status among medical and dental undergraduate students of Udaipur district, India. Abstract: Objective: To compare the caries status and oral hygiene behaviour of dental and medical students and to assess the influence of oral hygiene behaviour on the caries status. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour along with clinical examination to asses the caries status. A total of 403 dental and medical students enrolled with Rajasthan University of Health Sciences of Udaipur district, India were recruited in the study. Results: 56.4% of dental students brushed their teeth twice daily compared to 38.5% of medical students. There was no significant difference between the mean decayed components of males and females of dental stream, whereas among medical subjects, males had a higher decayed score than females (P = 0.012). The mean behaviour score obtained by dental students (19.38) was greater than that of medical students (18.34). Moreover, medical students presented a higher decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score (1.96) than dental students (1.16). Subjects who had a habit of brushing after every meal showed lower DMFT score (1.4) than those who brushed only once a day (1.64). Step‐wise linear regression analysis revealed that course of education and final behaviour score were the best predictors for the DMFT status. Conclusion: This study revealed significant differences between the oral hygiene behaviour and caries status of dental and medical students; furthermore, caries status was significantly influenced by the oral hygiene behaviour.     

Dental health and treatment needs in institutionalized psychiatric patients in Italy

Abstract The caries prevalence, oral hygiene status, periodontal health and the treatment needs were assessed in a group of institutionalized psychiatric patients in Catanzaro, Italy. Of the total sample of 297 subjects, 165 (55.6%) were males, the mean age was 55.1 yr, the great majority (90.6%) was able to care for themselves, on average they had been institutionalized for 12.9 yr, and almost two-thirds were schizophrenic (65%). They did not receive any assistance in daily oral hygiene procedures, only 7.4% had visited a dentist and exclusively for emergency care. A total of 33 (11.1%) patients were edentulous, and the multiple logistic regression analysis showed a highly significant increase of edentulousness with increasing age (P < 0.001). No caries-free subjects were found and among the dentate the DMFT and DMFS scores for all age groups were respectively 15.5 and 88.6. The stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the mean DMFT index increased with age (t = 6.86; P < 0.00l), and in the partly or totally helpless patients it was significantly higher than in the self-sufficient patients (1=2.78; P= 0.006). Of the 264 dentate subjects, only 25 (9.5%) had no need of dental treatment: 213 (80.7%) required extractions with a mean number per person of 6.3 and the need for conservative dental care was recorded in 154 (58.3%) patients with a mean need for patient of 2.8. Mean OH1-S score was 4.2 and the stepwise linear regression analysis showed that it increased with age (t = 5.73; P < 0.01) and with the length of institutionalization (t =3.42; P < 0.001). Only 0.9% of the entire sample was found with healthy periodontal tissue; bleeding on probing or a higher score was found in 4.6% of examined sextants; calculus in 10.1%; shallow pockets and deep pockets in 19.6%. and 64.8% of all sextants. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of subjects with deep pockets as highest score increased with increasing age (P < 0.001), and with the increasing length of institutionalization (P=0.005). The findings of this study demonstrate high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene and periodontal health, and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment. More coordinated efforts between the social and dental care sector must be maintained to serve adequately the need of this disadvantaged group.     

Dental caries and oral hygiene status of 13-14 year old school children of Davangere

2,007 children from 11 schools, selected through stratified random sampling were examined for dental caries and oral hygiene status. The Mean DMFT was found to be 2.85 and 3.40, mean DMFS 3.76 and 4.56 in 13 and 14 year olds, respectively. Females recorded higher mean values of DMFT (3.37) than males (2.94). There was no significant difference in the mean values of OHI (S). The overall prevalence of dental caries was found to be higher among 14-year-old children compared to 13 year children.