Oral health status and practices of 5 and 12 year old indian tribal children

Objectives: To assess oral health status and practices of 5- and 12-year-old Tribal school children. Methods: A total of 418, 5-year-old children and 327, 12-year-old children were enrolled. Information on demographic characteristics of participants along with oral health behavior was collected. Clinical data were collected on dental fluorosis, periodontal status, dental caries and treatment needs. Dean's index criterion was used to assess dental fluorosis. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) for periodontal conditions and Dentition status and treatment needs for dental caries were recorded. Results: Between meal sugar consumption was high (100%). None of the children in both the age groups had visited trained health personnel for dental treatment. Dental fluorosis prevalence in 5- and 12-year olds was 11.9% and 22.9% respectively. Bleeding on probing and calculus was common between both the age groups. A low mean number of healthy sextants were found and this decreased with age. Mean dmft/DMFT values for 5- and 12-year olds were 4.13 ± 3.90 and 1.15 ± 1.62. Significant caries index (SIC) scores for 5- and 12-year olds were 7.17 ± 4.30 and 3.78 ± 3.21 respectively. Conclusion: The present study reveals high sugar consumption, dental fluorosis, poor oral hygiene, and untreated dental disease of tribal children. Under these circumstances, the implementation of preventive programs including restriction of sweets in school premises for the tribal children is the key to good oral health.