Application of Dental Indices to Evaluate Oral Health Status for Schoolchildren in Central Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Background and objective. The present study aims to determine the treatment needs index (TNI), care index (CI), restorative index (RI) and functional measure index (FMI) among Libyan schoolchildren. This study also aims to evaluate the impact of self-assessed brushing frequency and the role of parental observation during brushing on DMFT scores. Methods. a cross-sectional study was carried out on 185 schoolchildren (125 boys and 60 girls) between the ages of 12-14 years in Tripoli to collect the data for decayed, missing and filled teeth in the permanent teeth (DMFT). TNI, CI, RI and FMI were determined. The impact of brushing frequency and parental observation during brushing on the DMFT score were assessed within the stated age range. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 9. Results. high rates of treatment needs were observed amongst girls (66%) and boys (55%), with no statistically significant difference. CI was found to be 6.8 and 4.6 for boys and girls, respectively, whereas RI was shown to be 0.08 and 0.05, for boys and girls, respectively. FMI was found to be 0.9 amongst both genders. Brushing frequency was correlated with DMFT scores. In contrast, the role of parents in encouraging oral hygiene habits did not impact oral health status. Conclusion. The study indicated unmet treatment needs for dental caries and little experience of restorative treatment. Oral hygiene education for children and parents needs to be implemented to maximize opportunities for oral health improvement.