Oral health status among a group of children attending preventive clinic in Dahmar University -Yemen

Abstract EN

Background : Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the most important etiological factors for tooth mortality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status among a group of children in Yemen.

Materials and methods : A sample of 122 children with age range 6-12 years attending the preventive clinic in Dahmar University in Yemen.

Dental caries was estimated using the dmfs / DMFS indices following the WHO criteria.

Results : A high caries percentage (93.6 %) was found.

Caries experience of deciduous teeth was decreasing with age accompanied by increase among permanent teeth.

Caries active males were higher than females.

Most of the children had a mild gingivitis, which tended to increase with age.

Severity of gingivitis was significantly higher among boys than girls.

Conclusion : The low caries percentage may need further investigation to study dietary habits and fluoride level in water.