Abstract
The study investigated the oral hygiene practices and prevalence of dental carries among school children (6 – 12 years) in Niger State, Nigeria. A total of 477 pupils constituting 246 boys and 231 girls were used in the study. Stratified randomly sampling was used in selecting pupils from 9 public primary schools based on high, middle and low socio –economic levels. Data obtained from this study was analysed using percentages and Chi-Square statistic at 0.05 level of significance. Results of the study revealed that, the practice of toothbrushing was not statisfactory among pupils for the reason that a large numbers of pupils 202 (42.3%) did not brush their teeth at all. Also the prevalence and the number of dental caries were greater in the pupils of low socio-economic areas (66.5%) than the others. The high and middle socio-economic areas had a similar overall prevalence of dental caries of 59.4% and 60.1% respectively. Toothbrushing behavior among the pupils was strongly related to the parental education and their socio economic statuses however, there was no statistical significance in the prevalence of dental caries among the socio-economic groups. Health education programmes such as, brushing of teeth twice daily, especially at night before going to bed to improve oral hygiene practices was therefore recommended.
Highlights
Dental caries is a highly prevalent chronic sugardependent infectious disease, affecting calcified tissue of the tooth and causing demineralization of the inorganic portion with subsequent destruction of the organic substance [1]
The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral hygiene practices and the prevalence of dental caries, and the various social and behavioral factors related to these problems among school children in Niger State
477 pupils were examined for dental caries and oral hygiene practices. 246 boys and 231 girls, similar levels of pupils were taken from each area, since all the pupils used were in primary three
Summary
Dental caries is a highly prevalent chronic sugardependent infectious disease, affecting calcified tissue of the tooth and causing demineralization of the inorganic portion with subsequent destruction of the organic substance [1]. Adekele [2] opined that dental carries is a progressive, irreversible bacterial damage to the teeth in the mouth. Dental caries is a typical oral medical issue in children and happens in people of all socio-Economic strata. Poor oral hygeine has likewise been believed to be very high in children those living in rural areas.[3, 4] Lack of dental administrations at the Primary Health Care services level is said to represent the poor oral wellbeing status of rustic children in Nigeria.[2] Rural zones more often than not have less dental specialists per populace and are progressively denied, in this manner decreasing access to dental consideration for youngsters in these communities.[5, 6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
