Oral health status and behaviour in Jordanian adolescents aged 12–18 years
Leena Smadi
Abstract
Background
This survey was conducted to promote health issues and provide health care for the neediest communities throughout Jordan. It also provides reliable information for researchers and policy makers by collecting and interpreting the dental health status as an important indicator for general health.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status and oral health behaviours of adolescents in the Tafelah governorate in south Jordan.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1194 public school children ages 12–18. All students were examined using a mirror and probe with a dental unit for decay-missing–fillings (DMFT) of permanent teeth, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI). Information about oral hygiene habits was also recorded.
Results
The prevalence of caries was 71.4 per cent for permanent teeth, with a significant caries index SCI 5.7 and a mean DMFT 2.6. A total of 41.7 per cent had healthy gingiva, 33.3 per cent had mild gingivitis, 24.1 per cent had moderate gingivitis, and 0.8 per cent had severe gingivitis. The average gingival index (GI) and average plaque index (PI) were 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. Some (44.6 per cent) of the examined students never brushed their teeth, and 84 per cent had never received any previous dental treatment.
Conclusion
The results indicated that greater than 50 per cent of the examined students in this age group have caries in their teeth and gingivitis of mild to moderate severity. The oral hygiene measures were poor. It is important to enhance dental awareness and allow different preventive measures to be implemented. Furthermore, dental care should be more accessible for underprivileged school students.
Full Text:
This survey was conducted to promote health issues and provide health care for the neediest communities throughout Jordan. It also provides reliable information for researchers and policy makers by collecting and interpreting the dental health status as an important indicator for general health.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status and oral health behaviours of adolescents in the Tafelah governorate in south Jordan.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1194 public school children ages 12–18. All students were examined using a mirror and probe with a dental unit for decay-missing–fillings (DMFT) of permanent teeth, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI). Information about oral hygiene habits was also recorded.
Results
The prevalence of caries was 71.4 per cent for permanent teeth, with a significant caries index SCI 5.7 and a mean DMFT 2.6. A total of 41.7 per cent had healthy gingiva, 33.3 per cent had mild gingivitis, 24.1 per cent had moderate gingivitis, and 0.8 per cent had severe gingivitis. The average gingival index (GI) and average plaque index (PI) were 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. Some (44.6 per cent) of the examined students never brushed their teeth, and 84 per cent had never received any previous dental treatment.
Conclusion
The results indicated that greater than 50 per cent of the examined students in this age group have caries in their teeth and gingivitis of mild to moderate severity. The oral hygiene measures were poor. It is important to enhance dental awareness and allow different preventive measures to be implemented. Furthermore, dental care should be more accessible for underprivileged school students.
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