Assessment of Oral Health Conditions Among Physically Disabled Patients in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess the oral health status among physically disabled Saudi patients. METHODS: Recruitment took place in the Armed Forces Centre for Health Rehabilitation in Taif, Saudi Arabia. 124 patients living with a physical disability were enrolled and divided into three groups: hemiplegia, paraplegia and quadriplegia. Data was collected on demographics and different oral indices, including the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, the Mean Decayed Teeth score, the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). RESULTS: High DMFT was observed among the hemiplegia group (mean = 22.61; P-value = .008) with no difference in the Mean Decayed Teeth. All groups showed signs of gingivitis in the form of gingival bleeding. The most compromised periodontal health in the form of pockets 6 mm or deeper was found in the hemiplegia group (53.7%; P-value = .001). This was also reflected in the CPITN (39.0%; P-value = .001), indicating the need for complex treatments in the same group. Regarding oral hygiene, all groups showed a "fair" oral hygiene condition (OHI-S < 3.0), with significantly poorer hygiene (mean = 2.49; P-value = .042) and greater debris accumulation (mean = 1.52; P-value = .024) among the quadriplegia group. In the regression analysis, both age and gender had significant effects on some indices, while disability type showed borderline effects. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate poor oral health in these individuals, mainly due to physical limitations, hindering effective self-care practices. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oral health is a critical aspect in people with physical disabilities, as it is intrinsically linked to overall health and well-being. Recognizing the clinical importance of oral health among physically disabled patients is essential to improve access and affordability of dental care for this vulnerable group of the population.

Sleep disorders and work-related stress with oral hygiene among Indian shift workers.

Construction workers are mostly migrants from isolated villages and are not vigilant about health care measures besides poor language skills. Majority of the population works in shifts across the globe. As a result of poor sleep architecture, excessive sleepiness or insomnia, the construction labourers working in shifts have approximately twice the risk of OSA when compared with those working in the daytime. Likewise, the performance and the productivity of employees in construction sites are impeded by added stress. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the sleep disorders, work-related stress and its impact on oral hygiene among the construction workers in Chennai. A cross sectional study was conducted among 518 workers in various construction sites at Chennai, South India. The study incorporated BerlinQuestionnaire to evaluate disordered breathing during sleep, the Work Ability Index that contains questions concerning work, working ability and health and the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (Greene and Vermillion, 1964) that was used for recording the oral hygiene status. Pearson correlation between education and OHI-S was statistically significant (r=-0.108). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that mean WAI score had a positive significant association with work experience (B=0.059, SE=0.030, p=0.05), habits (B=0.032, SE=0.017, p=0.05) and marital status (B=0.135, SE=0.54, p=0.01). In contrast, education (B=-0.0.052, SE=0.023, p=0.02) and work schedule (B=0.022, SE=0.037, p=0.54) were inversely associated with the mean score. Based on the current findings, it is imperative to restore work ability for those with poor work ability thereby enhancing productivity in the migrant workers. As shift work may be extremely detrimental to poor sleep quality, the employers should arrange shift schedules in accordance with sleep physiology. Additionally, dental awareness and interventions are required to improve oral hygiene among migrant workers.

Quantifying red complex bacteria, oral hygiene condition, and inflammation status in elderly: A pilot study.

Introduction: Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontal apparatus leads to destruction of connective tissue attachment and tooth loss. Red complex bacteria may contribute to disease initiation. Bacterial infection in periodontitis leads to a low-grade chronic infection and inflammation in distant organs. Notably, aging can affect the immune response. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of aging on oral hygiene and inflammation condition. Moreover, to evaluate the correlation between the oral hygiene condition and red complex bacterial load in subgingival plaque. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined 20 adult and 20 elderly subjects with periodontitis. Clinical parameters included Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) and Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI) were recorded. Subgingival plaque was collected from the tooth with a probing depth of 5-7 mm and analyzed with a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for red complex bacteria quantification. Statistical analysis was performed, respectively. Results: Both groups had poor oral hygiene conditions, reflected by high OHI-S and PBI. The quantity of red complex bacteria (P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia) in the elderly group was significantly higher in comparison to the adult group. There was significant strong linear relationship between OHI-S and red complex bacteria (r < 1, p < 0.05). Only P. gingivalis bacteria with PBI values had a strong linear relationship and statistically significant. (r < 1, p < 0.05). P. gingivalis load was significantly higher than T. denticola and T. forsythia load, and it correlated with poor oral hygiene in the adult and elderly groups and with PBI in the elderly group. Conclusions: Aging affects to the red complex bacterial load and oral hygiene condition, but not the inflammation. These findings contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies focusing on bacterial aspect for periodontitis in the elderly.

The relationship between parents' oral hygiene knowledge and children with Down Syndrome's oral hygiene via OHI-S.

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder responsible for mental and development retardation. DS occurs when a person has an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46), the third copy of the Trisomy 21 chromosome. This causes structural and functional anomalies in the human body and some degree of intellectual disability. Children with DS have poor oral hygiene as they are unable to understand and are unaware of its importance. Oral hygiene problems commonly found in children with DS are gingivitis, periodontal problems, pain, infection, and problems with the masticatory system. This study explored the relationship between parents' knowledge and maintenance of the oral hygiene of children with DS through the OHI-S (Oral Hygiene Index Simplified) Index Score. Method: This study was conducted by distributing 25 questions via Google Form to 100 subjects that belong to POTADS (Down Syndrome Parents Association. The participants were children diagnosed with Down Syndrome and their parents. Questionnaires were used to assess parents' knowledge about their child's oral hygiene. To assess the children's oral hygiene, dental exams were performed with the OHI-S on six tooth surfaces. To calculate the OHI-S score for each individual, the debris and calculus scores from the 6 surfaces of the teeth were totalled and divided by six. Results: The relationship between parents' knowledge and the maintenance of oral hygiene of children with DS was found by conducting a linear regression analysis and hypothetical test. The equation of Y = 77.734 + (-7.377) X was achieved through linear regression analysis, and indicated that a 1% increase in parents' knowledge caused a reduction in OHI-S score to 7.377. The hypothetical test showed that parents' knowledge affected their children's OHI-S score significantly. Conclusion: There was a significant contradictive relationship between parents' knowledge and the maintenance of oral hygiene of children with DS .

Oral health status and risk determinants in adult Syrian refugees in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: Lack of data regarding the oral health of Syrian refugees represents a crucial gap in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the oral health status of Syrian refugees and related socio and behavioral factors. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional study from June to September 2019 at Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan. METHODS: An experienced, calibrated field investigator performed an oral clinical examination of 505 Syrian refugees (18-60 years) using the WHO criteria. DMFT, SiC, oral health indices and socio-demographic variables were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 264 males and 241 females were included. The prevalence of caries was 96.0%, of which 76.0% had 4-17 carious lesions. The mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth was 5.76, 2.55 and 1.88 respectively. The mean DMFT score was 10.19 (100% had DMFT⟩0), SiC was 17.09, and the mean simplified Oral hygiene index score was 2.18. The most common chief complaint was pain (92.7%). Nearly half of the participants were smokers (45.7%). There was a negative association between level of education and oral health (P=0.011). Most participants did not brush their teeth regularly (87.5%). Females had better oral hygiene practices than males (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Syrian refugees had a high prevalence of caries, high unmet dental treatment needs and poor oral hygiene practices. Preventive programs and focused interventions may reduce the burden of disease in this underprivileged population, on funding agencies and host countries as well.

Application of estimated oral health indices in adolescents with tobacco addiction.

It is known that every day 2,500 children under the age of 18 try their first cigarette, and more than 400 of them become new, regular smokers, and half of them will die from this addiction in the future. AIM: The aim of the study is to determine changes in the indices of dental status in adolescents with tobacco smoking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 54 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. They were divided into the main group of 25 adolescents with a smoking experience of 1 to 3 years, and a control group of 29 adolescents who were physically healthy at the time of the study and had never smoked. During their visit to dentist for a preventive examination such indexes were investigated as simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) (Greene-Vermillion), papillary-marginal-alveolar index (PMA), Fedorov-Volodkina index, caries severity index, index of the need for treatment of periodontal disease and biophysical methods of oral fluid research: rate of salivation, elasticity, pH of oral fluid. RESULTS: The changes in dental status identified in the study in adolescents with addiction to smoking indicated certain aspects of the risk of developing dental diseases in this group of patients with prevalence of periodontal inflammation. The most vulnerable, with a short history of smoking, were periodontal tissues. It could indicate the direct effect of tobacco smoke on the microcirculation of the gums. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is a risk factor for periodontal health in adolescents. The periodontal inflammation of various severities was established in children and adolescents aged 12-18 years old. Evaluation of oral health indices has been estimated from 0.79 ± 0.19 to 1.9 ± 0.05 (p<0.05) for Greene-Vermilion, from 1.5 ± 0.41 to 2.5 ± 0.59 (p<0.05) for Fedorov-Volodkina, from 12.0± 2.06% to 36.0 ± 2.04% to for PMA (p<0.05) as result of adolescent smoking. Simultaneously we didn't estimate significant difference for caries severity in investigated groups.

Dental health status and oral health behaviours of patients with facial burn in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: There is a limited understanding about the oral health of patients with facial burn, hence the aim was to describe the oral health status and the related risks factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study had randomly and systematically recruited facial burn patients from the Burn Care Center, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from June of 2016 to July of 2017. Intraoral examination recorded the DMFT, CPI and OHI-S. Information on the socio-demographic status, self-perceived oral health, oral health behaviours were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and; the burn characteristics were obtained from the patients' medical record. The t-test, ANOVA, SLR, and chi-square test were used to examine the relationship between oral health and each factor. A parameter was derived from the clinical indices using the principal component analysis and used in the multiple linear regression analysis to determine the important factors associated with oral health status. RESULTS: A total of 271 burn patients (69% female and 31% male) had participated in the study. All of the participants had caries with mean DMFT = 10.96 (95%CI: 10.67, 11.25). There were 59.0% (95%CI: 53.15, 64.93%) and 66.1% (95%CI: 60.38, 71.73%) of the participants who had periodontitis and poor oral hygiene respectively. About 79 and 80% of the participants rated their dental and periodontal status as poor. About 78% reported brushing once daily and 89% did not practice regular dental visit. The DMFT, CPI and OHI-S were associated with the burn characteristics and oral health behaviours (p < 0.05). Dental anxiety, cost and social issues were the most cited reasons for not utilising oral health services. Greater burn severity, the longer time elapsed since the burn incident, and dental anxiety were associated with poorer oral health status and; brushing twice or more and regular dental visit, with better status (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with oro-facial burn injury had a generally poor oral health and, the risks are greater in those with a more severe and wider area of injury, the longer time elapsed since the burn incident and dental anxiety; but a good oral hygiene practice and regular dental visits were protective against the risk.

Comparison of Erich arch bar versus embrasure wires for intraoperative intermaxillary fixation in mandibular fractures.

PURPOSE: Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is a fundamental principle in the management of mandibular fractures but with recent advent of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), use of IMF is almost limited intraoperatively. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of Erich arch bar versus embrasure wires for intraoperative IMF in mandibular fractures. METHOD: This prospective study was comprised of 50 patients with mandibular fractures who required ORIF with intraoperative IMF. Patients were categorized into two groups of 25 patients each: Erich arch bar technique was used for group A and embrasure wire technique for group B. Parameters were time taken for IMF, needle stick injury, occlusal stability, iatrogenic complications, and periodontal status of patients. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-squared test and unpaired t test analyses was run on IBM SPSS 21.0 version (2015) software. RESULT: Mean time for placing embrasure wire (3.48 min) was significantly less than that for Erich arch bar (48.08 min). Needle stick injury rates to the operator as well as the assistants were significantly less when using the embrasure wire than the Erich arch bar. The Erich arch bar had significantly superior postoperative occlusion stability. Iatrogenic injury was more common when placing the Erich arch bar than the embrasure wire. Postoperative oral hygiene status was good in patients that received the embrasure wire. CONCLUSION: Embrasure wire technique is a quick, easy, and reliable technique for minimally or moderately displaced fractured mandible and had better clinical outcomes than did patients that underwent the Erich arch bar technique.

Sense of Coherence and Oral Health Status among 16 to 17-year-old Preuniversity Students of Virajpet Taluk: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Sense of coherence (SOC) is an important psychological factor that enables people to cope with stressors and successfully maintain and improve health. Oral health affects general health and impacts quality of life. The aim of the present study is to assess the association between SOC and oral health status among 16 to 17-year-old preuniversity students in Virajpet, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 361 subjects were included in the study by stratified cluster random sampling method. Sense of coherence was measured using the Kannada-translated 13-item scale proposed by Antonovsky. Oral health status was measured using oral hygiene index - simplified (OHI-S), Silness and Loe Plaque index, Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LA) as well as decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index. Chi-square test and analysis of variance were used to evaluate the association between SOC and oral health. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant association of plaque index and caries experience with SOC, whereas the SOC scores were found to be significantly associated with loss of attachment and OHI-S among the subjects. The distribution of the mean number of sextants with loss of attachment was more among males. CONCLUSION: Sense of coherence has a role to play in the maintenance of oral health. There is a need to closely examine the psychodynamic factors that affect oral health. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There is good evidence that SOC is a resource capable of promoting health, strengthening resilience, and developing a subjectively positive state of health.

Prevalencia de Caries y Nivel de Higiene Oral en Niños de 6 años Atendidos Bajo la Norma GES y el Modelo JUNAEB / Prevalence of Dental Caries and Oral Hygiene Level in Children Aged 6 Years Attended Under GES and JUNAEB Models

El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la prevalencia de caries e índice de higiene oral en escolares de la comuna de Temuco, y comparar las diferencias del impacto entre dos modelos de atención de salud oral vigentes, bajo norma GES y JUNAEB entre los años 2007­2008. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional en un consultorio del Servicio de Salud, bajo norma GES y un módulo dental JUNAEB. Se seleccionaron mediante muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia 113 escolares de 6 años. Mediante examen de diagnóstico oral se consignó el índice COP-D, ceo-d e IHO-S al inicio del tratamiento y al control posterior del alta integral. Para los cálculos y estimaciones estadísticas se utilizó el programa Stata 9.0. El total de los estudiantes presentó una alta prevalencia de caries (COP-D 0,88 y ceo-d 3,86) e higiene oral deficiente (IHO-S 1,45). Al comparar el impacto, el modelo JUNAEB mostró mayor disminución de nuevas caries y mejores niveles de higiene oral (-0,70, p=0,0000). Considerando la alta prevalencia de caries, bajo IHO y la necesidad de controles periódicos, la aplicación del modelo JUNAEB generó menor recurrencia de lesiones cariosas y mejor IHO, gracias a su enfoque preventivo, curativo y educativo.

The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of caries and oral hygiene index among schoolchildren in Temuco, and compare the impact differences between two models of oral health care existing, under standard GES and JUNAEB model between the years 2007-2008. A descriptive observational study in an consulting health service, under standard GES and dental JUNAEB module. We selected by non-probability sampling 113 schoolchildren aged 6 years. The COP-D, ceo-d e OHI-S indexes were recorded at oral examination at the initiation of treatment and aftercare in the final integral treatment. Calculations and statistical estimates used Stata 9.0. The total number of students showed a high prevalence of caries (COP-D ceo-d 0.88 and 3.86) and poor oral hygiene (OHI-S 1.45). When comparing the impact, the JUNAEB model showed greater reduction of new dental caries and better oral hygiene levels (-0.70, p=0.0000). In conclusion, considering the high prevalence of dental caries, poor OHI and the need for periodic controls, application of the JUNAEB model generated a lower recurrence of dental caries and better OHI using a preventive, healing and educational approach.

Caracterización de la condición periodontal de pacientes adultos con obesidad / Characterization of the periodontal condition in obese adults

La periodontitis es una enfermedad inflamatoria que puede evolucionar hasta la pérdida dentaria. En la presente investigación se caracterizó la condición periodontal de 30 adultos con obesidad, atendidos en el Instituto de Investigaciones en Nutrición (INVESNUT) de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo y de un grupo control conformado por 15 adultos normo-peso. Los adultos fueron evaluados clínica y odontológicamente, mediante antropometría (Talla, Peso, IMC, circunferencia abdominal) y los índices: índice de higiene oral simplificado (IHOS), índice de gingivitis (IG), índice de sangramiento gingival (IGB "gingival bleeding index"). El grupo de estudio mostró diferencias significativas para IG, IGB IHOS con respecto al control, el análisis de correlación de Pearson para las variables IMC, circunferencia abdominal y las variables sobre la condición periodontal (IG, IGB) mostraron asociación positiva y significativa, aunque se no se observó correlación para las variables IMC y circunferencia abdominal con IHOS. Se concluye que los pacientes obesos presentan una peor condición periodontal y que su higiene oral no corresponde con el estado inflamatorio del periodonto...

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that may progress to tooth loss. The objective of this research was to characterize the periodontal condition of 30 obese adults treated at the Nutrition Research Institute (INVESNUT), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Carabobo and of a control group of 15 normal-weight adults. All participants were assessed clinically and dentally by anthropometry (Height, weight, BMI, abdominal circumference) and indexes: simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), gingivitis index (GI) gingival bleeding index (GBI). The study group showed significant differences for GI, GBI, OHI-S relative to the control, and a significant positive association (Pearson correlation analysis) for BMI, abdominal circumference, GI and GBI, showed, although no correlation was observed to the variables BMI, abdominal circumference with OHI-S. It is concluded that obese patients have a worse periodontal condition, but oral hygiene does not correspond to the inflammatory state of the periodontium...

Determinación de los índices CPO-D e IHOS en estudiantes de la Universidad Veracruzana, México / Determing OHI-S and DMFT in students at Universidad Veracruzana, México

Introducción: El conocimiento de la salud bucal de la población constituye una tarea fundamental desde la perspectiva de la salud pública, ya que las enfermedades bucales - tales como la caries y las periodontopatías- son los padecimientos con mayor incidencia y prevalencia alrededor del mundo. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar el índice de dientes, cariados, perdidos, obturados (CPOD), determinar el índice de higiene oral simplificado (IHOS), de los jóvenes universitarios de nuevo ingreso en el estado de Veracruz, provincia de México. Material y método: se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo, observacional, mediante la aplicación del examen de salud integral el cual constó de dos partes; un interrogatorio y una exploración clínica Resultados: El índice CPOD fue de 13.1. La prevalencia de caries fue de 80.9, perdidos 37.9 y de obturados 47.0. El índice de higiene oral simplificada que se obtuvo fue: el 81.5 por ciento bueno, el 17.4 por ciento regular y el 1.02 por ciento malo. Los alumnos que ingresaron tuvieron un índice CPO muy alto según los estándares de la OMS. Discusión: Los hallazgos en la determinación del índice CPO-D que se registró en este estudio determinan un serio problema de salud pública, Esta situación no sólo es particular en nuestro país, sino que se da la misma tendencia en otros lugares, aspectos que determinan intervenciones necesarias en el ámbito de la salud pública para una mejor calidad de vida de los estudiantes universitarios.

Introduction: Knowledge of the dental health of the population constitutes a fundamental task of public health, since oral diseases- such as cavities and periodontal disease- are the health conditions with highest incidence and prevalence around the world. The objective of this study was to determine the index of decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) and the simplified oral health index (OHI-S) of first year university students in the state of Veracruz, province of Mexico. 27Material y method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out, applying a comprehensive health ex am which consisted of two parts: a questionnaire and a clinical exam. Results: The DMFT index was 13.1. The prevalence of cavities was 80.9, missing teeth was 37.9 y filled teeth was 47.0. The OHI-S was the following: 81.5 percent good, 17.4 percent regular and 1.02 percent bad. Students had a very high OHI-S according to WHO standards. Discussion: The findings for the DMFT index constitute a serious public health problem. This situation is not found only in our country. Findings should guide the necessary interventions in order to improve quality of live for university students.

Pre-school child oral health in a rural Chilean community / Salud bucal en niños pre-escolares de una zona rural Chilena

Caries and gingivitis are the most prevalent diseases in Chile. The aim of this study is to determine the damage of oral health in children ages 4 and 5 years, in Peralillo, Chile, prior to the start of oral health program promoted by JUNAEB (Junta Nacional de Auxilio Escolar y Becas) in the commune. The sample consisted of 130 children, admitted to the student dental clinic between November 2010 and February 2011. Oral exam seeks to know presence of dental caries and number of teeth affected, using dmft index (decayed, missing and filled primary teeth), simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and presence or absence of gingivitis. 49.2 percent of children had caries, with an dmft index 2.4 (S.D. +/- 3.5). The OHI-S of the entire sample was 1.4 (S.D. +/- 0.4). Gingivitis was reported in 9.2 percent of cases. The results of this investigation shows that following dental intervention, the goals set by FDI (FDI World Dental Federation) and WHO (World Health Organization) were obtained. Efforts are required in promotion and education in oral health, as well an increase in resources to attend these patients to decrease impact of oral diseases in the future.

La caries y gingivitis son las enfermedades más prevalentes en Chile. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el compromiso de salud bucal en niños de 4 y 5 años, en Peralillo, Chile; antes del inicio del programa de salud bucal impulsado por JUNAEB (Junta Nacional de Auxilio Escolar y Becas) en esta comuna. La muestra consistió en 130 niños, ingresados en la clínica dental del estudiante entre Noviembre de 2010 y Febrero de 2011. Se realizó un examen oral para conocer el número de dientes afectados por caries, usando el índice ceod (dientes temporales con caries, perdidos y restaurados), índice de higiene oral simplificado (IHO-S) y la presencia o ausencia de gingivitis. El 49,2 por ciento de los niños presentó caries, con un índice ceo de 2,4 (D.E. +/- 3,5). El IHO-S para la muestra completa fue 1,4 (D.E. +/- 0,4). La gingivitis se reportó en el 9,2 por ciento de los casos. Los resultados muestran que antes de la intervención odontológica, se alcanzan las metas fijadas por la FDI (Federación Dental Internacional) y OMS (Organización Mundial de la Salud). Se requieren esfuerzos en educación y promoción de la salud bucal, así como aumentar recursos para atender estos pacientes con el fin de disminuir el impacto de las enfermedades orales en el futuro.

Survey on the Condition of First Permanent Molars in 15-year-old Students in Ahwaz, Iran in 2005.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many children still face active and uncontrolled dental caries and data is needed for evaluating the situation in many parts of the country. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the oral health of the young population of Ahwaz, Iran in 2005. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 600 15-year-old students were se-lected randomly. Data was gathered with clinical examination and a questionnaire, collecting data of DMFT of first permanent molars, OHI-S, oral hygiene and nutrition habits, and parents' education. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and t-test. RESULTS: Mean DMFT of first permanent molars was 1.84 ± 1.54, with a higher value seen among girls. Mean decayed teeth component was 1.56, followed by filled (0.17) and missing (0.1) components. Higher DMFT values were significantly associated with poor OHI-S score (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The observed oral hygiene status among the 15-year-olds necessitates implementing pre-ventive as well as restorative measures to improve the oral health status of the young population.