Association of dental caries prevalence and oral hygiene indicators among 12 and 15 years school children of Muradnagar using ICDAS II

Introduction: Oral health is essential for general health and well-being throughout life and is a marker for overall health status. It is associated with the development of healthy personality and perception that enables an individual to speak, eat and socialize without active disease, discomfort or embarrassment. Aim: To determine association of dental caries prevalence and oral hygiene indicators among 12 and 15 years old school going children using ICDAS II. Material and methods: The data was recorded by investigator in pre-designed proforma. The proforma was divided into 2 parts. First part covers general information that comprise of demographic variables and socio-economic status to be filled by parents/guardians/caregivers. Second part comprised of questions regarding oral hygiene practices, dental behavioural indicators such as past dental care received to be filled by examiner through structured interview method . Plaque level was assessed by Patient Hygiene Performance (PHP) index. Result: The results of the present study showed that most of students 11.2% 12 years old were affected by non-cavitated surface with underlying dark shadow from dentin, followed by distinct cavity with visible dentin 10.8%, extensive distinct cavity 7%. Among 15 years most of students were affected by 11.2% distinct cavity with visible dentin, followed by 10% non-cavitated surface with underlying dark shadow from dentin, extensive distinct cavity 4.6%. Conclusion: It was concluded that Dental caries showed significant association with age, gender, level of education, occupation, frequency of tooth cleaning, frequency of changing toothbrush, time of tooth cleaning, tongue cleaning, past dental visit, duration of dental visit and dental care received during dental visit and also that the ICDAS II showed significant association with PHP index.