Periodontal disease and dental caries in primary school children in rural areas of Delhi

Addressing oral health disparities, inequity in access and workforce issues in a developing country

The health sector challenges in India like those in other low and middle income countries are formidable. India has almost one-third of the world's dental schools. However, provisions of oral health-care services are few in rural parts of India where the majority of the Indian population resides. Disparities exist between the oral health status in urban and rural areas. The present unequal system of mainly private practice directed towards a minority of the population and based on reparative services needs to be modified. National oral health policy needs to be implemented as a priority, with an emphasis on strengthening dental care services under public health facilities. A fast-changing demographic profile and its implications needs to be considered while planning for the future oral health-care workforce. Current oral health status in developing countries, including India, is a result of government public health policies, not lack of dentists. The aim of the article is to discuss pertinent issues relating to oral health disparities, equity in health-care access, dental workforce planning and quality concerns pertaining to the present-day dental education and practices in India, which have implications for other developing countries.

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.