Oral hygeine maintenance of school going children in West Bengal - a survey study

Background: Dental caries is the single most prevalent chronic childhood disease worldwide. It affects 60-90% of school going children in most developed countries and in several developing countries the prevalence rates are increasing. Dental caries is a multi factorial disease. Some socio-demographic and behavioural indicators that prone an individual to increased caries experience include: presence of plaque, poor oral hygiene, increasing age, gender, inadequate tooth-brushing habits. Objective: This study was carried out to measure the caries prevalence in school going children of 6-16 year old residing in West Bengal in relation to oral hygiene maintenance. Materials and Methods: A total of 1000 children of 6-16 years age group, in standard one to senior secondary classes were examined over a 2 months period (camp frequency 1-2 times/wk) using World Health Organization criteria (1997) to record the prevalence of dental caries along with their history of oral hygiene. The treatment needs were also calculated according to that given criteria. Results: 2.3% students were using tooth brush only, 97.9% students were using tooth brush with toothpaste, 0.2% students were using only finger, 0.4% students were using finger with toothpaste, 0.2% students were using finger with tooth powder, 0.1% students were using neem datum, 49.6% students using rinse mouth after snacking and 82.1% students were rinse mouth after meals. Conclusion: Child oral health is always a matter of concern for a developing country so further research is required to explore actual causes.