ABSTRACT
Context: Dental caries is the most common dental disease of childhood. India with a population of more than 135 crores accounts for a high proportion of dental morbidity. Poor oral health has a significant impact on quality of life, especially in rural areas. The consequences of untreated dental caries include pain, abscess, and space infections which may lead to loss of function and school hours. These consequences are of utmost important while planning a community dental care program. Aims: To assess the prevalence of dental caries, caries experience, and severity of dental caries among 6–12 years old schoolchildren in the rural areas of Kollam District, Kerala State. Settings and Design: A community school-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study in the rural areas of Kollam District. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 2194 schoolchildren in the rural areas of Kollam District in the age group of 6–12 years. Children from eight randomly selected schools were examined for pufa/PUFA and dmf/DMF indices. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS version 17.0, Mann-Whitney, t-test, KruskalWallis test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and Conclusions: Overall caries prevalence among the total population was found to be 74%. The prevalence of caries in the deciduous dentition was 61% and a mean decayed, missing, filled teeth value of 2.74 ± 3.200 and for the permanent dentition the caries prevalence of 26.8% and a mean Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth of 0.66 ± 1.360 were observed. The prevalence of untreated dental caries (pufa/PUFA) was 40.8%. The pufa prevalence in deciduous dentition was 38.3% with a mean pufa of 0.99 ± 1.679. Moreover, the PUFA prevalence in permanent dentition was 4.1% with a mean PUFA of 0.06 ± 0.349. The highest prevalence of untreated dental caries (pufa/PUFA) was found in the 7 years' age group (52%) and the lowest in 12 years' age group (22.4%).
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the space changes, dental arch width, arch length and arch perimeter, after the unilateral extraction of lower first primary molar in the mixed dentition period. A longitudinal study was conducted among forty children in the age group of 6-9 years, who reported for extraction of lower first primary molar in the department of Pedodontics, Govt. Dental College, Trivandrum. Study models were made from alginate impression taken before extraction and after extraction at the periodical intervals of two months, four months, six months and eight months. The mesiodistal width of lower first primary molar of the non-extracted side was taken as the control. The results of the study showed statistically significant space loss in the extraction side ( P value < 0.01) and no significant space loss in the control side (P value > 0.05). The rate of loss was greatest in the first four months. The arch width, arch length and arch perimeter had no significant change from initial to eight months follow up. The present study challenges the use of a space maintenance under the circumstances of premature loss of mandibular primary molar for preventing space loss.
Subject(s)
Cephalometry , Child , Cuspid/pathology , Dental Arch/pathology , Models, Dental , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Mandible/pathology , Molar/surgery , Odontometry , Tooth Extraction/adverse effects , Tooth Loss/pathology , Tooth, Deciduous/surgeryABSTRACT
This epidemiological survey attempted to establish the prevalence and severity of dental caries among primary school children of Varkala municipal area. The prevalence of dental caries was 68.5% with a standard error (SE) of 1.64% and 95%, confidence interval (CI) 65.18, 71.82. The highest caries prevalence was found among 10 year age group (75.9%) and lowest in the 8 year age group (63%). The highest dmft score was found in 9 year age group 2.73 +/- 0.443 and highest DMFT score was found in 12 year age group 2.06 +/- 0.3824. Statistically significant association was found with dental caries and oral hygiene status (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.59, 95% CI, 2.53, 5.06 and oral cleanliness OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.96, 3.82). Statistically significant association was found between low socioeconomic status and prevalence of caries (O.R. 1.89, 95% CI--1.28, 2.8).