scholarly journals Oral Hygiene Practices, Knowledge, and Self-Reported Dental and Gingival Problems with Rural-Urban Disparities among Primary School children in Lilongwe, Malawi

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
F. Mlenga ◽  
E. G. Mumghamba

Aim. To determine oral hygiene practices, knowledge, and experience of dental caries and gingival problems among urban and rural primary schoolchildren in Lilongwe District, Malawi. Methodology. This was an analytical and quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study. Four urban and four rural primary schools were conveniently sampled. Pupils aged 11–14 years (n = 409) were recruited using self-administered structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS program v20.0. Results. Out of 409 pupils, most of them had knowledge that dental caries is caused by consumption of sugary foodstuffs (91.4%), toothache is a symptom of dental caries (77.6%), gingivitis is caused by ineffective tooth brushing (92.7%), and gingival bleeding is a sign of gingivitis (85.3%). Most pupils experienced toothache (30.8%); many of them had parents with secondary education and above (35.0%) compared to those with primary education (23.5%). 24.4% experienced gingival bleeding with higher percentages from urban (30.1%) than rural (18.5%) schools. Plastic toothbrush users (95%) overshadowed chewing stick users (24.9%). The use of chewing stick was significantly higher in rural (49%) than in urban (1.9%) schools. Likewise, tooth brushing before bed was significantly higher in rural (33%) than in urban (17.2%) pupils. The use of toothpaste during tooth brushing was significantly higher among urban (91.9%) than among rural (64%) pupils. The prevalence of tongue cleaning was 70.2%, and the differences were significantly higher among pupils who had parents with secondary and higher education in urban schools and among pupils aged 11–12 years in comparison with their counterparts. Conclusions. Most pupils reported cleaning their teeth regularly, mostly using plastic toothbrush rather than chewing stick, using toothpaste, and having adequate knowledge about dental caries and gingival disease, and a quarter of them had suffered from these diseases with evidence of rural-urban disparities. Integration of oral health in school health promotion program and further research on its impact on oral health status are recommended.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Md. Al-Amin Bhuiyan ◽  
Humayra Binte Anwar ◽  
Rezwana Binte Anwar ◽  
Mir Nowazesh Ali ◽  
Priyanka Agrawal

Inadequate oral health knowledge and awareness is more likely to cause oral diseases among all age groups, including children. Reports about the oral health awareness and oral hygiene practices of children in Bangladesh are insufficient. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the oral health awareness and practices of junior school children in Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur District, Bangladesh. The study covered 150 children aged 5 to 12 years of age from three primary schools. The study reveals that the students have limited awareness about oral health and poor knowledge of oral hygiene habits. Oral health awareness and hygiene practices amongst the school going children was found to be very poor and create a much-needed niche for implementing school-based oral health awareness and education projects/programs.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 997-1004
Author(s):  
M. M. Al Sharbati ◽  
T. M. Meidan ◽  
O. Sudani

We investigated the oral health practices and prevalence of dental caries among Libyan pupils [6-12 years], by studying 389 boys and 373 girls selected randomly from 11 public primary schools in three different residential areas indicating different socioeconomic levels. In all, 321 [42.1%] pupils did not brush their teeth, with significant differences in the different areas. The prevalence of dental caries was 61.9%, with no significant sex difference. At 12 years, the decayed, missing and filled teeth index was 1.63, the average decay per child was 1.26 and the prevalence of dental caries was 50%, but the filling needs met was 0.01. Health education programmes to improve oral hygiene practices should be considered.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Kayombo ◽  
E. G. Mumghamba

Aim.To assess self-reported halitosis, oral hygiene practices, oral health conditions, general health problems, sociodemographic factors, and behavioural and psychological characteristics among workers in Ilala and Temeke municipals.Materials and Methods.This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Four hundred workers were recruited using a self-administered structured questionnaire.Results.Self-reported tooth brushing practice was 100%, tongue cleaning 58.5%, dental flossing 4.3%, gum bleeding on tooth brushing 79.3%, presence of hard deposits on teeth 32%, mobile teeth 15.3%, and self-reported halitosis (SRH) 48.5%. Tea users were 95%, coffee users 75.8%, smokers 21%, and alcohol consumers 47%. The SRH was significantly associated with bleeding gums, hard deposits, and mobile and malaligned teeth. Tongue cleaning and regular change of toothbrush were associated with low prevalence of SRH (P<0.001). Higher occurrence of SRH was significantly related to low education and smoking.Conclusion.Self-reported halitosis was prevalent among workers and was significantly associated with bleeding gums, hard dental deposits, mobile teeth, and smoking. All participants brushed their teeth and cleaned the tongue regularly but use of dental floss was extremely low. Oral health education and health promotion are recommended.


Author(s):  
Kitty Jieyi Chen ◽  
Ni Zhou ◽  
Biao Xu ◽  
Yuexiao Li ◽  
Shinan Zhang ◽  
...  

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the oral health status of Hani 12-year-old children in Yunnan, a province in Southwest China. Method: This study employed a multistage sampling method to recruit children from local primary schools. Two calibrated dentists examined the status of dental caries, gingival bleeding and dental fluorosis by adopting the diagnosis criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were conducted. Results: This study invited 480 Hani children, and recruited 413 children (52% boys) (response rate: 86%). The dental caries prevalence was 52%, and the caries experience associated with the mean (standard deviation) decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score was 1.10 (1.46). Gingival bleeding was diagnosed in 252 children (61%), and dental fluorosis was found in two children (0.5%). The results of the regression model indicated the prevalence of dental caries were associated with sugary snacking habits (p = 0.002). The prevalence of gingival bleeding was related to the mother’s education level as well as the child’s monthly pocket money (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dental caries and gingival bleeding were prevalent among 12-year-old Hani children in the Yunnan province in China. Dental fluorosis was uncommon.


2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812110389
Author(s):  
Jairo Corchuelo-Ojeda ◽  
Guillermo Julián González Pérez ◽  
Alejandro Casas-Arcila

Background Health perception is a subjective predictor of long-term morbidity and mortality. Few studies address the perception that pregnant women have of their oral health. Objective The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and self-assessment of oral health in pregnant women from Cali, Colombia. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 998 pregnant women, calculated using the formula to estimate a proportion in finite populations, with a confidence level of 95%. A questionnaire was applied for sociodemographic characterization, as well as to enquire about oral health perception, knowledge, and practices of oral health. Results The mean age of the surveyed mothers was 24.7, with a standard deviation of 6.1, of which 23.6% were adolescents. The perception they had about their oral health status was considered good by 60.8%. Of the 82.9% who reported having attended dentistry, more than half perceived good oral health. Pregnant women with no history of oral problems, with a perception of medium or high income, and with good oral hygiene practices tend to have a good perception of their oral health. Conclusion Pregnant women with no history of oral problems, with a perception of medium or high income, and with good oral hygiene practices tend to have a good perception of their oral health.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry J. Herrmann ◽  
Michael W. Roberts

The pediatrician can assist the dental profession in preventing dental disease and maintaining the oral health of children. Pediatricians are urged to counsel parents in dietary and oral hygiene practices that will prevent dental caries and to refer patients for professional dental care when appropriate. Systemic fluoride supplements should be prescribed when needed but only after a careful review of requirements and daily consumption.


Author(s):  
Amal Abushal ◽  
Malak Alqudsi ◽  
Nujood Alahmadi ◽  
Mohammed Almalsi ◽  
Haifa Alharbi ◽  
...  

Periodontal disease is a broad spectrum that involves different entities and severity levels of the disease. Dental implants, just like normal teeth, can be affected by periodontal disease. This descriptive questionnaire-based study provides a brief shot on the most prevalent periodontal diseases associated with dental implants, associated risk factors, and levels of understanding and awareness about oral hygiene in the Saudi population. Results concluded that 10.5% of population have dental implants. 28.5% the sample confirmed that they have some sort of periodontal disease. Most prevalent symptoms among patients with dental implants are in order: periodontal pockets, redness and blood spitting after tooth brushing, and finally gingival recession. Most associated co-morbidities are cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Regarding oral hygiene, through assessing two oral health concepts: twice daily tooth brushing, and balanced diet, it is found that more than half of the sample (51.3%) apply these two concepts in their life, while the rest of the sample misses one or both of these two concepts. Focus should be directed toward raising the public awareness about periodontal disease and its symptoms, especially in cases of dental implants, and raising understanding and awareness about different oral health concepts.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MariaGrazia Cagetti ◽  
Fabio Cocco ◽  
Ezio Calzavara ◽  
Davide Augello ◽  
Phunchok Zagpoo ◽  
...  

Abstract Backgrounds The aim of this survey was to evaluate the severity of dental caries among Ladakh children and its association with anthropometric and background variables. Methods This cross‐sectional epidemiological survey was conducted on Ladakh schoolchildren divided into four age groups (<6, ≥6<11, ≥11≤14 and >14 years of age). A total of 1474 schoolchildren (607 males 41.18% and 867 females 58.82%) were examined. Actual dental caries prevalence (dt/DT) and gingival bleeding were recorded by four calibrated examiners. An ad hoc questionnaire evaluated general health, eating habits, oral hygiene and the self-perception of oral conditions. Height, weight, waist circumference, heart-rate and oxygen-saturation were also collected. Responses to questionnaire items were treated as categorical or ordinal variables. Relation between children’s caries data, gingival bleeding, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI) following the International Obesity Task Force, waist circumference and questionnaire items were assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Conditional ordinal logistic regression was used to analyse associations among caries severity, gender, BMI, waist circumference, oxygen saturation and questionnaire. A forward stepwise logistic regression procedure was also assessed to estimate the ORs of gingival bleeding prevalence and the covariates derived from examination or questionnaire. Results Caries was almost ubiquitarian with only 10.04% of caries-free children (dt/DT=0). Caries severity, in both primary and permanent dentitions was statistically significantly related to gender, waist circumference, BMI, oral hygiene frequency and self-reported chewing problems (p<0.01 in both dentitions). An increasing relative risk for caries in permanent dentition compared to caries-free subjects was observed in children with a low BMI (RRR=1.67, 95% CI=1.54/2.83 for subjects with 1-3 caries lesions and RRR=1.52, 95% CI=1.36/1.74 for subjects with more than 3 caries lesions); also children with reduced waist circumference had a higher relative risk to have 1-3 caries lesions (RRR=2.16, 95% CI=1.84 / 2.53) and an even higher risk to have more than 3 caries lesions (RRR=4.22, 95% CI=3.33 / 5.34). Conclusion A significant impact of untreated caries lesions was observed; low BMI values and reduced waist circumference showed to be the main caries risk predictors. Preventive and intervention programmes should be implemented to improve children's oral health living in Ladakh.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiranjit Kaur ◽  
Dean Sculley ◽  
Martin Veysey ◽  
Mark Lucock ◽  
Janet Wallace ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Oral health, an essential part of general health and well-being, is influenced by multiple factors, including oral hygiene habits and dietary factors. Dietary preferences are influenced by variation in taste perceptions and threshold tasting. Polymorphisms in specific genes for sweet and bitter taste receptors and bitter taste perception have been associated with dental caries. However, taste is complex with multiple receptors, each with multiple potential polymorphisms contributing to taste perception as well as social, cultural, and environmental influences. Additionally, these association studies have been conducted in restricted cohorts (e.g., children only). Furthermore, outcomes have been limited to dental caries and studies between taste perception and oral hygiene habits have not been completed. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to investigate the relationships between bitter and sweet taste perception (liking and intensity of index food items), self-reported oral hygiene habits and oral health (n = 518). Results Higher mean intensity scores for bitter (16–21%) and sweet (< 5%-60%) were seen with higher frequencies of oral hygiene habits (brushing, use of mouthwash, chewing gum and tongue cleaning). Lower mean bitter liking scores (18–21%) were seen with higher frequencies of oral hygiene habits (brushing, mouthwash use, floss use and chewing gum). Sweet liking scores varied by reported frequency of mouthwash use and flossing only, with mixed patterns of variance. Mean bitter and sweet intensity perception scores varied with the number of dental caries ((13–20% higher in those with 3 or more caries, compared to none). Conclusions While there were numerous relationships identified between liking and perception of sweet and bitter and oral health outcomes, the magnitude and direction of associations varied by outcome. The direction of the associations cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. The demonstrated relationships justify further future investigations, which could help better understand if taste liking and perception is impacted by oral hygiene and health, or vice versa. This could be important in understanding the causation and progression of oral health diseases or the development of novel therapeutics for oral health.


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