Socio-economic gradient and its impact on dental caries among school children of primary and early mixed dentition

ABSTRACT

Dental Caries influence on the Quality of life of any individual. There is a conspicuous gap between the living standards of the high and low socioeconomic populations living in urban and rural settings. The aim is to determine Dental caries prevalence among different socioeconomic classes and to observe a social gradient across the high and low income areas which impacts oral health care needs. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out at various Schools from Lahore city and its surrounding were included. The data were collected over a period of 3 months time. The sample size was 750 school children age 2-6 years. The data were collected using questionnaire regarding Oral hygiene and Oral examinations were performed to observe DMFT scores. Mean DMFT score was found to be 1.7 Score. The students from urban school settings have lesser DMFT scores as compared to students from rural school settings bearing higher DMFT Scores [p<0.001]. Students having DMFT score 5 or above exist only in rural settings [73 students] however there was no student in urban area bearing such high score of 5 or above. Majority of the students [88.5%] never attended any dentist and those who have attended were mainly from the urban school. There was not a single child in which Dental Sealant was found. There is a strong need towards provision of equality based oral health care services. These services should include both Preventive, Promotive and Curative aspects. In this context a strong Oral health Plan should be fabricated on national level to address these issues