Aim: Oral health is one of the leading preventable problems
around the globe. India is the second largest populous country,
with the majority of the population living in rural areas. Rural
population still uses traditional methods to maintain oral
hygiene as opposed to urban population which has progressed
to electronic toothbrushes. The aim of the present study was
to identify the predisposing risk factors for oral health issues
among early adolescents and develop a health risk communication
tool that will aid in addressing the problem of oral hygiene
in school-going children.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study that included
920 school-going children of class 6 to 9th was conducted in the
region of Balotra, Rajasthan, India. Single-stage cluster sampling
technique was used in the study to select and collect data
from children from 23 (15 government and 8 private) schools
that were randomly selected. Analysis was done using Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0.
Results: Overall, the prevalence of caries and dental fluorosis
was found to be 47% and 61% respectively. The oral health
problem of dental caries was seen to be less prevalent in girls
(39.7%). Dental caries were found to be more in government
schools (58.7%) and in rural areas (59.6%) as compared with
urban areas (52.1%). It was also observed that prevalence
of dental caries was more in permanent dentition (44%) as
compared with primary dentition (14%). Factors found to be
associated with caries were private schools, age of the children,
and irregular brushing habits.
Conclusion: Based on the prevalence of caries and fluorosis
and other findings of the study, it can be concluded that children
lack knowledge and awareness about oral hygiene. There is
a need to enhance the oral health knowledge level of schoolgoing
children. Implementation of a school health program
would help change the status quo, and positively influence oral
health and well-being of children.
Clinical significance: Initiatives should be taken in the field of
public health dentistry to address the problems of caries and
dental fluorosis as they are quite prevalent in the area.