Dental Caries and the Influence of Associated Factors – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of dental caries among urban and suburban population in Pakistan to assess the association of dental caries with oral hygiene status, socioeconomic status, and dental service availability. METHODS A total of 200 patients was enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Decayed, filled, and missing teeth (DMFT), oral hygiene status, socioeconomic status (SES), and presence / absence of dental care facility were recorded. A specially designed proforma was used to record the data regarding oral hygiene practices, dental treatment availability and socioeconomic background, for the study. The data obtained was statistically analysed using SPSS version 15 software. Chi-square test was applied for association between categorical variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done to test the difference in DMFT scores of various age groups. Student t test was applied to test the difference in DMFT scores in both sexes. RESULTS Comparison of mean D, M and F status revealed a high tendency towards decayed teeth. Mean DMFT score was found to be 4.41. Maximum DMFT was recorded among 50 years and above age group, followed closely (2.39) by 40 - 49 years. Increased caries prevalence was seen in people with poor oral hygiene and belonging to low socioeconomic status. Caries rate was also high in areas with lack of dental care facilities. CONCLUSIONS Oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and access to dental care services played an important role in prevalence of dental caries. Socio-economic status has been found to play an important role in access to dental care facilities. From the current report, importance for public health was noted; the socioeconomic status, educational status of parents, and family structure, affect oral health in under-privileged communities. The prevalence of dental caries also plays an important role in oral hygiene procedures, eating patterns, and access to dental care services. KEY WORDS Dental Caries, SES, Oral Hygiene, Dental Care Facility, DMFT.