Background:The study was conducted at IL-polei in Laikipia North, Kenya. The study aimed at determining the susceptibility to dental caries and oral health status, targeting children and teenagers between the ages of 3-17 years old attending a medical camp in the month of September in 2014. The study was designed as a community based cross-sectional descriptive study where questionnaires were administered to children, the guardians and parents of the children attending the dental section of the medical camp. The clean and verified data was then entered into an Excel computer database and later transferred into SPSS for analysis. Results: A total of 256 children and teenagers were interviewed, medically examined and saliva samples were successful transported to microbiology lab in KeMU. As observed none had a routine visits to a dentist and the practices related to oral hygiene were not satisfactory. The prevalence of dental caries gradually increased with age and those who were highly susceptible to dental caries were teenagers older than 12 years of age (71.9%). Males had a clinically higher prevalence of caries (75%) than females. Also noted was that an ancient practice of using stick brushes is still the preferred method of choice for cleaning teeth (75.6%). The physical observation of decayed teeth was collaborated by the laboratory findings. Oral health personnel were absent in the rural clinics and dispensaries and hence played no major role (2.4%) in educating the community on dental hygiene. Conclusion: we need to strengthen community based dental care services for children and teenagers in IL-Polei and other rural centres with similar characteristics. The study has demonstrated that oral health problems are still predominant in the rural areas where dental services are neglected. In addition, medical camp organisers should also add onto their list of the services, items and activities that will encourage the implementation of good oral health practices because such activities can help in elimination of potential oral health issues before they become a problem and cause future suffering in children.
Objectives Dental caries and periodontal diseases are significant health concerns in developing nations. This study assessed the impact of a comprehensive oral health education program on adolescent girls in rural Kenya. Methods Eighty‐seven girls aged 13–18 years attending school in rural Nanyuki, Kenya, were enrolled in the study. The comprehensive program included personalized oral hygiene training, education and health advocacy coaching. Dental caries, gingival inflammation and dental plaque biofilm were assessed at baseline, 1‐ and 2.5‐year post‐implementation. Results The intervention was highly effective in arresting pre‐existing carious lesions and preventing the formation of new ones in this population. The data revealed that there was a significant remineralization of incipient caries lesion, as shown by decreases in modified ICCMS™ scores from baseline to 1‐year post‐implementation. From baseline to the 2.5‐year post‐implementation assessment, only six new carious lesions developed. Dental plaque biofilm was reduced by 83.6%, and gingival inflammation was reduced by 81.6%. Conclusion A comprehensive oral health program, which included behavioural awareness and educational approaches, resulted in significant positive oral health outcomes in caries, dental plaque biofilm and gingival inflammation.
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