Oral health status and malocclusion in flood affected and internally displaced children in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to assess the Oral Health status and evaluate DMFT [Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth] scores and Malocclusion in children of flood affected internally displaced persons [IDPs] in Pakistan and to provide them information about dental health. It was a Cross sectional study and was conducted at Camp Schools of Northern Bypass Gattap Town and IDPs Labour Square Camp Gulshan-e-Maymar Karachi. Sample consisted of 424 children, ages ranging from 12-16 years. Participants were interviewed about their dental health behavior and brushing habits. Clinical examination was performed for DMFT scores, gingival inflammation bleeding and malocclusion. Oral hygiene status was evaluated visually by assessing the presence of plaque and calculus. Associations were assessed using chi-square test and a p-value of<0.001 was considered significant. Mean DMFT was 1.29 and tooth brush users had least DMFT. Gingival bleeding was found in 52.6%, 33.3% had gingival inflammation, and 65.8% showed plaque and calculus and 56.8% had halitosis. 46% used tooth brush for cleaning and only 27% brushed daily. 73.6% of the total sample had malocclusion and most common type was Angle's Class I [48.6%], 23.6% had Class II and 1.4% showed Class III. No clear gender differences were noted, except for Plaque and Calculus [most frequent in boys, P<.018]. It was concluded that the study subjects needed oral hygiene instructions to reduce the incidence of oral diseases and malocclusions