Oral health status; very low income strata of population

Oral health, although an important aspect of the general health, unfortunately is an ignored aspect, by almost all population strata. Poverty, lack of education and lack of public awareness programs add to the dilemma. Evaluation of the oral health, tooth cleaning devices and at the top, awareness about such devices, among the most ignored and deprived group of population. The evaluation of oral hygiene of the poor railway coolies, was the objective of this study. A very simple proforma in Urdu was designed. It included some questions about personal data, tooth cleaning habits, the devices used for the purpose and the reasons for not using the tooth brush. DMFT and the periodontal conditions were then noted in the same proforma. About 120 coolies agreed to participate in the study. Examination was made in day light with a mirror and a blunt probe. The age varied from 15-60 years. There was about 100% periodontal involvements, while DMFT increased with age [0.75 to 12.5]. About 49.5% used brush, 41.5% miswak, 5.3% tooth powder, while 3.5% did not use any of these. Tooth brush users had least DMFT while powder users had the maximum. Of the non brush users 50.9% of people could not buy brush, 33.9% did not like it while 15.09% were ignorant of it. Poverty, illiteracy and lack of dental awareness are the major causes of dental / periodontal problems. The tooth brushing techniques must be taught to the public

Carious-missing-filled teeth and periodontal status; 12-15 years old boys from a government school of multan

Objectives of this study were to find the extent of dental and periodontal diseases in 12-15 years old school children and to find the co relation with the socioeconomic status, brushing habits and number of meals. 160 students of 12-15 years age of a government school were examined for this purpose and a proforma was filled for socioeconomic status, food habits and brushing etc. The examination was performed in day light using a dental mirror and a blunt probe. The records were made in the proforma by an assistant. The DMFT was 1.67 in average. The poor group [N: 22] 2.4, the middle class [N: 132] 1.5 Those claiming once a day brushing showed better DMFT score [1.8] while those claiming twice daily brushing had more DMFT score [2.1]. More frequent meals were related to more DMFT [1.86] as compared to less frequent meals [0.8]. The periodontal health was better in middle socioeconomic status than the poor group. Once a day brushing and less frequent meals were related to better gums. Only 8.1% of total 160 participants assessed were having healthy gums while 47% had zero DMFT score. Although the DMFT scores are not very high but there is a need to have dental education programs involving all strata of population for better understanding and better prevention of diseases. Brushing technique has to be taught more tactfully and-elaborately so as to further minimize DMFT and to reduce periodontal problems

Oral health status of the 12-15 year olds in a remote area of Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: The status of oral health in Pakistan has yet not been fully explored. The few available studies were held in some cities only. The authors had planned to carry out a series of surveys to evaluate the actual status of oral health among the people of South Punjab-both in urban and the rural areas. About two hundreds students of two boys and two girl schools participated in the study. The information about the children and their DMFT and the periodontal status of the participants was collected. The study population was divided into three groups according to their socio-economic status. It was observed that the children of the higher socio-economic group were more particular about brushing as compared to other two groups. The lower socio-economic group was most ignorant about brushing. The oral conditions were best for the former group while worst in the later. Overall DMFT was 1.19 and 60% children were having gingival diseases. It was observed that the general oral health is not bad in the participants of the present study when compared with the results of other studies. Brushing habits showed a positive role in the good oral hygiene. It is obvious that the oral health status can be improved by education, provision of health services and by improving the socioeconomic status of the people