The impact of oral status on daily performances among 6th Grade primary school children in Bangbon District, Bangkok

Abstract

        A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis and characteristics of oral impacts on daily performances among the 6^th grade primary school children in Bangbon district, Bangkok. 160 children were interviewed by using Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances index (Child-OIDP) and were examined dental caries and gingivitis using criterion of WHO and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Data collection was done from January 5 to February 6, 2009.
        The results illustrated the prevalence of dental caries was 55.63% and mean DMFT was 1.61. The prevalence of gingivitis was 99.38%. Regarding the oral impacts on daily performances, 80.63% of school children had oral impacts on their daily life. The prevalence of impacts was high on eating (61.88%) and cleaning teeth (41.88%). Almost half of school children (45.01%) had very little and little intensity of impacts. For perceived causes of impacts, toothache (51.94%), sensitive tooth (37.21%) and oral ulcer (20.93%) were highly prominent.
        The results from clinical index and Child-OIDP index showed discrepancy. So there is the challenge for dental personnel to integrate both measures to plan oral health promotion programs, setting priorities of oral health services and allocating oral health resources in primary schools.