DENTAL CARRIES

FREQUENCY IN CHILDREN OF AGE 6 TO 12 IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OF FAISALABAD.

Abstract

Dental disease is prevalent among young children, particularly those from lower socioeconomic populations; however,
few preschool-aged children ever visit a dentist. Dental caries is a common childhood disease. Objectives: To observe the frequency of
dental caries particularly focusing on effects of regular brushing habits with fluoride tooth paste on dental caries in children of different
communities of Faisalabad. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting Four communities of Faisalabad located at: Punjab Medical
College Colony, Youngwala, Agricultural University Colony, People Colony No.2. Duration of study: Six months from 01-07-2009 to 31-
12-2009. Subjects and Methods: Total 379 patients were included in this study. Dental caries status was recorded after complete
intraoral examination of selected children. Sample of drinking water was taken from each patient and fluoride level was measured in
Laboratory. Results: Mean age of the children was observed 8.8±1.8 years. When socioeconomic status of studied population was
considered majority i.e. 150 children (39.6%) was from higher socioeconomic class, 139 children (36.7%) were from middle class and
90 children (23.7%) from lower socioeconomic class. As for as sources of drinking water is concerned 132 children (34.9%) using
ground water, 113 children (29.8%) canal water, 83 children (21.9%) filtered water and 51 children (13.4%) mineral water and level of
fluoride in drinking water, (sources ground water, canal, filter water and mineral water is < 0.7 PPM which is suboptimal for caries
protection). Conclusions: Regular brushing with fluoride containing tooth paste were very effective in preventing dental caries. Dental
health services should focus primarily on the prevention of dental caries.