ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF 5 AND 12 YEAR OLD RURAL SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH CARE – A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY.

Abstract

Objective – To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of 5 and 12 year old rural school children with poor access to oral health care services.

Materials and Methods – A cross sectional survey was conducted among 5 and 12 year old children in Kaveripakkam block of Vellore district (n=184). The oral health status was recorded using WHO proforma 1997.

Results – The prevalence of dental caries was 68.5% among 5 year old children and 30.5% among 12 year old children. Gingival bleeding on probing was observed among 13.76% and 30.0% of 5 year and 12 year old children respectively, whereas calculus was observed among 2.73% and 18.75% respectively. About 7.5% of 12 year old children had either questionable or mild fluorosis. The greatest need of treatment among this population was one surface restoration in 64.3% and 61.3% of 5 year and 12 year old children respectively, followed by two surface restorations, pulpal restorations and extractions.

Conclusion – Unmet treatment need was found to be high among these children. Providing oral health education at an early age along with school based preventive programs would help in improving the oral health status of rural school children with compromised access to oral health care services in Tamilnadu, India.