Gingival condition, enamel anomalies and traumatic dental injuries among 14-15 years intermediate school male students in Al-Khalis City/Iraq

Abstract

Background: One of the most common and prevalent oral diseases among adolescents is periodontal disease particularly gingivitis, however enamel anomalies and dental trauma could occur. Aims of the study: This study was conducted among 14-15 years intermediate school male students in urban area of Al-Khalis city to assess the oral hygiene (dental plaque) and to estimate the prevalence and severity of gingivitis, enamel anomalies, as well as traumatic dental injuries, furthermore to show the significant difference between these two ages concerning these oral problems. Materials and methods: In this study the total sample consisted of 735 students (397 aged 15 years and 338 aged 14 years ). In present study dental plaque was recorded according to the criteria of Plaque index by Silness and Loe (1964), while gingival status was determined according to the criteria of gingival index by Loe and Silness (1963). Enamel anomalies were examined and recorded according to WHO (1997). Dental trauma of permanent anterior teeth was assessed according to Garcia-Godoy classification. Results: The mean plaque index of the total students was (1.12±0.010). It was higher among 15 years students than 14 years students with statistically highly significant difference (p<0.01). The prevalence of gingivitis was 99.45%, and the mean gingival index was (1.50±0.013) which was higher among 15 years students than 14 years students with statistically no significant difference (p>0.05). The prevalence of enamel anomalies in the total students was 49.93%. The mean value of diffuse opacity was higher among 15 years students than 14 years students, furthermore, the diffuse opacity constituted a highest percentage of enamel defects among affected students. The prevalence of dental trauma was 6.12%. The prevalence of dental trauma was significantly higher among 14 years students than 15 years students (p<0.05). Conclusions: This oral health survey revealed a high prevalence of gingivitis, followed by enamel anomalies and dental trauma, thus, those students need for school and public dental health preventive programs