Oral Health Status among 12-Year-Old Children in a Rural Kenyan Community

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the oral health status among schoolchildren in a rural Kenyan community and examine the relationship between oral symptoms and perceived general health. Participants: 150 pupils, aged 12 years, in two primary schools in the Mbita District. Methods: Dental caries was assessed using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Gingivitis was evaluated using the criteria used for oral examinations in Japanese schools. Information about oral health behavior was collected through a dental health questionnaire. Results: DMFT index values were 0.26 and 0.23 among boys and girls, respectively. Almost 90% of pupils had no dental caries. Frequency of tooth brushing was significantly associated with dental plaque accumulation. The percentage of subjects with dental plaque covering ≥30% of the labial surfaces of anterior teeth increased as the frequency of tooth brushing decreased. Conclusions: The overall mean DMFT index of 0.24 was lower than those reported in previous studies in Kenyan children, which may be explained by differences in socioeconomic status and dietary habits within our study group. Dental plaque was significantly related to the prevalence of gingivitis. These findings indicate the urgent need for oral health education programs in Kenyan schools that address chronic dental symptoms besides dental caries, such as gingivitis.