A Study on Dental Caries and Remedial Measures Needed Among the School Children Aged Between 6-12 Years in Selected Schools of Tumkur Town, to Develop Information Guide Sheet on Prevention of Dental Caries

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46610/JCSHN.2023.v05i01.003

Abstract

Dental Caries can affect attendance, scholastic performance (lack of attention due to pain) and nutritional status. Children suffering from toothache or dental problems avoid or change their regular eating patterns. In neglected oral hygiene along with dental caries, periodontal diseases are seen. Periodontitis from the upper jaw may transmit the infection to the brain. Fluoride plays an important role in the prevention of dental caries, but it also causes fluorosis in excess amounts. Fluorosis aggravates dental carries. It is imperative to diagnose these problems at their early stage to prevent complications & to restore them in case it’s a permanent teeth. Objectives of the study • Assess the existing knowledge of school children regarding dental caries. • To examine by visualization of the oral cavity for the presence of dental caries. • To associate the presence of dental caries with demographic data of children. • To determine the remedial/treatment needs. • To prepare the information booklet on preventive measures and remedial measures as well. Methods: The research design of the study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The population was school children of age 6-12 years. The study originated with a sample of 150 children from selected schools in Tumkur. The sample of an equal proportion of children was scientifically drawn at random by using a random number table from each age group. Results: The present study shows that the mean knowledge among school children was 44.1%. This study revealed that schoolchildren were having very less knowledge regarding dental caries. Knowledge of prevention was 39.5%. This shows that school children were having very less knowledge regarding the prevention of dental caries. The prevalence of dental caries was 61.3% and this is the proportion referred for treatment needs among school children. The study found a significant association between knowledge of dental caries with the age of the children (χ2 =24.64, df=2), the mother’s education (χ2 =19.87, df=1) father’s education (χ2 =4.62, df=1), Mother’s occupation (χ2 =8.06, df=1), father’s occupation (χ2 =6.04, df=1) and several children (χ2 =17.72, df=1) are resulted as significant at 5% level. The proportion of treatment needs identified among the school children was 83.7% for teeth restoration, 13.0% for tooth extraction, and 3.3% for special treatments. Conclusion: The above findings depict that school children were having an inadequate level of knowledge on the prevention of dental caries. Based on the findings, an information guide sheet was developed to create awareness among school children.