Oral health status and treatment needs of Iraqi and Yemeni dental students (A comparative study)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare oral health status (dental caries, periodontal disease and treatment needs) of Iraqi and Yemeni dental students. The sample included 100 Iraqi dental students and 90 Yemeni dental students of fourth grade, age ranged between 22-23 years old of both sexes. The study revealed that there was a significant difference in the DMFT between Iraqi and Yemeni dental students for the total sample at p < 0.05 level, with significant difference between Iraqi and Yemeni dental students for both sexes at p < 0.01 level. The results also revealed that there was no significant difference in the type of treatment required for the total sample between females of Iraqi and Yemeni dental students, but with significant difference in the treatment need between males of Iraqi and Yemeni dental students. Highest percentage of treatment need for Iraqi and Yemeni students were for 1 surface restoration. The highest CPITN code percentage for Iraqi students was for code 2 (calculus) followed by code 1 with a significant difference between Iraqi males and females students at p<0.01 level, while for Yemeni dental students the highest CPITN code percentage was for code 1 followed by code 2. There was a significant difference in the total sample between Iraqi and Yemeni dental students at p<0.01 level; i.e., Iraqi students require scaling while Yemenis require oral health instruction.