Teeth Problem in Primary School Children: It's Relation to School Absenteeism and Academic Achievement

Abstract

Teeth problems affect primary school children physically and psychologically and it harms their general health, nutrition, growth, and body weight. Also, it causes learning problems, affecting their academic performance and absence from school. Aim: To measure the effect of teeth problems on school absenteeism and academic achievement among primary school children. Materials and methods: Design: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Sample: included 576 primary school children who were selected randomly from two primary schools in Sohag city. Tools: A structured interview questionnaire was completed by the parents included five parts regarding 1) demographic characteristics of parents, 2) demographic characteristics of children; 3) question related to school absenteeism, 4) question related to school academic achievement, 5) question regarding homework completion, and The Decayed, Missing, Filled (DMF) index was used to collect data. Results: There was a significant relationship between school absenteeism and DMFT score (P = 0.001). There was a significant relation between school academic achievement in academic year subjects and DMFT score (P = 0.007). There was a significant relationship between homework completion and DMFT score (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Teeth problems had a bad effect on absenteeism and academic achievement among primary school children. Recommendation: Establishing a health education program for parents about their children's teeth problems and frequent periodic teeth checkup is required.