Evaluation of oral and dental health of 6-12 year-old students in Kermanshah city

Oral and dental health are among the most important aspects of individual health. Thus، it is necessary to determine community’s oral health status. Various epidemiological studies are required at different levels to assess the efficacy of preventive، oral and dental health control programs in a society. Complications such as nutritional adverse effects، periodontal diseases and adverse psychological effects of dental caries and etc. could be prevented by in-time diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to assess DMF، dmf index and periodontal status in 6-12 year-old students in Kermanshah City in 2009. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected through interview and dental clinical examination using disposable dental explorer، dental mirror، periodontal probe، a flash light and a marker. Data were entered into a questionnaire containing demographic characteristics and oral and dental health status of subjects (WHO oral health assessments form). A total of 1050 students aged 6 to 12 years were evaluated for their oral health status in Kermanshah City. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 14 software. T-test and chi square test were also used for analysis. A total of 50% of boys and 52% of girls were susceptible to dent facial problems due to caries، extraction، premature loss of deciduous teeth، and congenital or acquired maxillofacial problems following conditions like mouth breathing due to adenoid and etc. Overall، 18. 3% of 6 year old students were caries free. Among middle school students، DMFT was 1. 65±1. 82 and 3. 88±2. 72 among female and male 12 year old students، respectively. In general، 19. 8% of elementary and 16. 8% of 12 year old students had clinically healthy gingiva; 21. 6% of 6 to 12 year old students did not brush their teeth. A significant correlation was found between the frequency of tooth brushing per day and mean dmft، mean DMFT and gingival health (P<0. 05). Also، a significant association was detected between frequency of tooth brushing per day by the students and frequency of brushing by their parents. Such correlation was also observed between the frequency of brushing by the mother and father (P<0. 05). Prevalence of dental caries among 6 to 12 year-old Kermanshah students was higher than the WHO standards. In order to improve the current situation، a proper programming seems necessary. Furthermore، more attention must be paid to the education of families about dental and oral health and preventive dentistry. This education can be implemented through the media، health care centers and health supervisors in schools.