RESUMEN
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