1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Dentistry, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan
2Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore
3Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore
To determine the oral health care and dental caries experience among 9–14 year old school going children in Mangalore
The study was conducted among 532 school going children aged 9–14 years. A questionnaire regarding snacking and other oral habits of the children as well as oral health knowledge of parents, to be filled in by the parents, was given after the clinical oral examination of the children.
The mean number of permanent "decayed teeth (DT)" was 0.53 ± 1.08 and "filled teeth (FT) was 0.27 ± 0.78 whereas the mean number of deciduous "decayed teeth (dt)" was 0.71 ± 1.31 and "filled teeth (ft)" was 0.14 ± 0.54. The mean "DMFT" was 0.79 ± 1.27 and mean "dft" was 0.87 ± 1.47. Knowledge of parents regarding role of fluoride in toothpaste and the dental caries experience of their children was found to be statistically significant.
Most of the parents had good knowledge regarding oral health as well as the oral health practice of their children. Although the relationship between the parents knowledge and their children's oral health was not statistically significant, dental caries experience was low.
Oral Health, Dental Caries, School Children
