Oral Hygiene Behavior of School Children in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Survey

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Pediatric Oral Health: A Review

This narrative review examines the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on pediatric oral health, emphasizing disparities in dental caries prevalence and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Utilizing an extensive literature search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and the chat.consensus.app plugin, we synthesized findings from studies published up to December 2023. The review highlights a consistent association between lower SES and adverse pediatric oral health outcomes, influenced by parental education, household income, food security, and neighborhood conditions. It also underscores the importance of the life-course perspective, showing how early-life socioeconomic disadvantages can have long-lasting effects on oral health. Furthermore, the review points to the critical role of school-based oral health education programs and the complex interplay between mental health, SES, and pediatric oral health. By examining the impact of socioeconomic factors across different childhood stages and the effectiveness of educational interventions, this review calls for targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities in pediatric oral health. The findings advocate for a multifaceted approach to improve oral health outcomes for children across socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to oral health care and promoting overall well-being.

Toothpaste use in Peruvian children during COVID-19 pandemic: results from a National Demographic and Health Survey

PURPOSE

To determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on use of toothpaste in Peruvian children.

METHODS

A national database of Peruvian children from 0 to 11 years old was used to develop a cross-sectional study, with a final sample of 51, 013 subjects. Data were obtained of results of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES); the questionnaire was self-reported. The use of toothpaste and fluoride concentration in toothpaste were dependent variables, and for the independent variable, the year was considered; in addition, other covariates were included. The statistical analyses applied were descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate tests.

RESULTS

Use of toothpaste was 98.99% (n = 50,134), while fluoride toothpaste with < 1000 ppm was used by 77.29% (n = 27,366). For bivariate analysis, use of toothpaste was associated with place and area of residence, altitude, natural region, and age; for use of fluoride toothpaste with minimum 1000 ppm, there was an association with place and area of residence, natural region, wealth index, and age. In a multivariate manner, year only presented a positive association with use of fluoride toothpaste < 1000 ppm (RPa:1.04; 95%CI 1.01-1.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Year 2020 of COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the use of < 1000 ppm fluoride toothpaste in Peruvian children.

Children's Oral Health Status Among Urban and Rural Areas of Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

 Dental caries is a disease that is quite common in children and has a negative impact on their oral health, mental health, and quality of life. This study aimed to collect and correlate information about oral health awareness, oral health status, and oral hygiene practices in the urban and rural areas of Saudi Arabia.  Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out among three dental clusters of Qassim from November 2022 to April 2023 in 12 schools on seven- to 12-year-old children. Data collection was done using the WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for Children.

RESULTS

 The current investigation included 700 children, 360 males and 340 females. Both urban and rural parents were more educated. Most children in rural areas reported excellent gum health than in urban areas (48.2% and 41.3%, respectively). Pain was the most common cause of visiting the dentist in rural more than in urban areas (55.7% and 54.5%, respectively). A significantly higher frequency of sugar consumption was reported for rural children.

CONCLUSION

 Most rural and urban children take care of their teeth. The vast majority of them use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean their teeth. However, the dental visit was not regular and only related to the toothache. They need more oral health education and promotion programs to improve the knowledge of oral health behavior in the Qassim region and the rest of Saudi Arabia.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Oral Hygiene Practices of Secondary School Students in Al-Qunfudah District, Saudi Arabia

Background Oral health is closely related to general health awareness and good oral hygiene practices, which makes it an important aspect of general health and well-being. The current study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of oral hygiene among secondary school students in Al-Qunfudah district, Saudi Arabia. Methods A convenient sample of 383 male and female secondary school students in the Al-Qunfudah district, Saudi Arabia, was included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The research data were collected from the study sample through a self-administered online survey via WhatsApp and Telegram electronic applications. Finally, the collected data were coded and analyzed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and expressed in frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were applied to assess the relationship between the participants' knowledge and practice scores of oral hygiene and their demographic characteristics. A P-value of less than 0.05 was regarded as significant. Results In this study, female students represented 70% of the sample, and most of them were Saudi (97.0%). Many of them identified the great impact of oral hygiene on overall health (89.2%), and more than two-thirds indicated that brushing their teeth regularly would prevent oral problems (89.2%). Nearly two-thirds of them perceived that dental problems would affect their school attendance; however, 59.1% ignored the important role of schools in maintaining students' oral hygiene. The poor practice of dental care was observed among students, as 47.5% brush their teeth twice daily and a third replace their brushes every three months. Despite the fact that the majority of the study population had adequate knowledge (44.4%) and a positive attitude (78.6%) toward oral hygiene, only 39.9% could effectively apply it. The knowledge of oral hygiene was significantly better among females (P = 0.005), older students (P = 0.001), those at a higher academic level (P = 0.016), and students from Al-Qunfudah city (P = 0.007). Furthermore, older pupils, those with a higher academic level, and those from Al-Qunfudah city performed better in terms of dental hygiene than their peers (P-value was 0.001 for each). Conclusion  Secondary school students generally have adequate awareness levels and positive attitudes toward oral hygiene, but they practice it with remarkably little consistency. Schools should emphasize their crucial roles in enhancing oral health among their students of different education levels through their curriculum and frequent monitoring of students. Persuasive and realistic oral health education initiatives are recommended for schoolchildren and their family members or caregivers, with a particular emphasis on males, younger children, and those living in rural areas.

Oral Health Needs and Barriers among Children in Saudi Arabia

(1) Background: Understanding oral health needs and barriers is important to overcome the oral disease burden, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess oral health needs and barriers among Saudi children after the COVID-19 pandemic wave started. (2) Methods: Parents of healthy children aged 3-11 years from five regions of Saudi Arabia were surveyed using an electronically administered validated questionnaire from Febuary-2021 to July-2021. Oral lesions/manifestations during the last 12 months reported by parents included tooth discoloration, ulcers, abscess, swelling of the gingiva, halitosis, gingival bleeding, dry mouth, pain while eating, difficulty in speaking or eating, burning sensation, and white spots. Barriers were assessed according to the WHO Oral Health Questionnaire. (3) Results: Children experiencing toothaches were reported by 1098 (72.4%) respondents. When reported, oral manifestations and lesions were associated with a higher inability to visit a dentist (p < 0.001). Barriers to dental care were more frequent among parents with lower education (p < 0.001; adjusted-odds ratio (AOR), 1.815) and a greater number of children (p < 0.001; AOR, 1.197). (4) Conclusion: Parents reported a high frequency of unmet oral health needs. Education could play an important role in improving oral health care in children and as a predictor of public health concerns.

Self-Reported Basic Oral Health Knowledge of Primary School Students and Teachers in Rural Areas of Saudi Arabia

Background

Oral health knowledge is essential for establishing healthy behaviors.

Aim

The purpose of the study was to determine and compare the basic oral health knowledge of 3–6th grade government primary school students and teachers in rural areas of Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among government primary school students and teachers in a rural area (Thadig and Ad-Delam) of the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia using validated, structured, close-ended and self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire comprised demographic variables and 18 multiple-choice items. A convenience sampling methodology was employed to select the study sample.

Results

A total of 1864 subjects from rural area government primary schools [students (N = 1538) and teachers (N = 326)] participated in this study. The majority of the students were females 841 (54.7%), Saudi nationals 1376 (89.5%), and studying in 5th grade 446 (29%). Most teacher participants were females, 199 (61.0%), and Saudi nationals, 326 (100.0%). Teachers (12.62 ± 2.36) demonstrated significantly higher overall mean knowledge scores compared to the students (9.63 ± 2.36) (p < 0.001). Females and non-Saudi students showed significantly higher mean knowledge scores compared to their counterparts. However, 4th standard students showed significantly lower mean knowledge scores compared to other graders. Female teachers (13.17 ± 2.25) demonstrated significantly higher overall oral health knowledge scores compared to male teachers (11.75 ± 2.26) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Basic oral health knowledge was adequate among 3–6th grade government primary school students and teachers in rural areas of the Riyadh region.

Dental Visits and Predictors of Regular Attendance Among Female Schoolchildren in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Purpose

Regular dental visits are important for the maintenance of optimal oral health and improved quality of life. The purpose of the study was to evaluate patterns of dental visits and factors associated with routine dental attendance among female schoolchildren in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Patients and Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 449 female primary schoolchildren (6–11 years old) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The study included clinical examination for decay in the first permanent molars in children and questionnaire administration among their parents. The World Health Organization’s oral health questionnaire was used to collect data about children’s dental visits, oral hygiene behaviors, dental problems, and dietary practices. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with routine dental visits.

Results

Most children (64.1%) visited the dentist during the past one year, 22.1% performed no dental visit during the past one year, and 8.3% never visited the dentist. Among children who visited the dentist, the pain was the most common reason for dental visits (39.10%, N=170), followed by routine dental check-ups (18.60%, N=81). In bivariate analysis, education of parents, family income, daily tooth brushing, no decay in the first permanent molar, no toothache, no consumption of soft drinks, biscuits, cakes, and cream were significantly associated with routine dental attendance (P <0.05). However, the final logistic regression model showed that university education of mothers (OR 2.52, P = 0.005), not having toothache or discomfort (OR 2.88, P = 0.001), tooth brushing once or twice daily (OR 2.43, P= 0.034), and not consuming soft drinks (OR 1.96, P= 0.027) were significant predictors of routine dental visits.

Conclusion

The study found that higher education of mothers, daily tooth brushing, not having dental pain, and not consuming soft drinks were significantly associated with routine dental visits in this sample of female schoolchildren. Routine dental attendance may be used to improve oral hygiene and reduce dental pain and consumption of soft drinks in children.