A Comprehensive Study of Periodontal Health and its Predictors Among School Children in Nawabshah, Pakistan

Periodontal Health of school children in Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine the status of periodontal disease and its associated risk factors among school going children in Nawabshah, Pakistan.

METHOD

This cross-sectional analysis was carried out on 350 school going children (aged 6-12 years) of either gender, chosen via non-probability consecutive sampling at Nawabshah. Particulars pertaining to oral hygiene were inquired from guardians and recorded onto a structured questionnaire along with biodata and sociodemographic details, after written informed consent. Data was analyzed as descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using SPSS v. 22.0. 

RESULTS

Periodontal disease was present in 18% of children, among which 50.8% had periodontitis and 49.2% had gingivitis. All children had calculus and yet brushing frequency, flossing, and routine dental visits were low. Boys exhibited a higher likelihood of developing periodontal disease, and so did children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Higher maternal educational status correlated with lower incidence of periodontal disease among children OR=42.234, CI (5.082 - 351.455). Odds of periodontal disease were lower for individuals who visit the dentist OR=0.30 CI of (0.15, 0.59) and for individuals who brushed daily, but higher for individuals who chew betel nut and had C2 and C3 calculus status.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the oral health status among the study participants merits improvement through health education interventions at the school level.