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| 2010-22 |
| 22-1 |
ISSN (Print) 1013-9052
EISSN 1658-3558
The Saudi Dental Journal,
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| Tel. |
966-1-467-7328 |
| Fax. |
933-1-467-7308 / 966-1-467-7534 |
| Email |
saudidj@ksu.edu.sa |
|
Status of dental caries among 4-9 year-old children attending dental clinic in a military hospital in Tabuk, KSA
Gifty Benson Owusu,*
BSc, DDS, MSc, Mariam Yousef
Al-Amri,** BDS, MSc,
This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and
determinants of dmft in a sample of 4-9 year-old children attending military
hospital in Tabuk Saudi Arabia. Three hundred forty-four children and their
respective parents were selected. Four consultant pediatric dentists trained to
ensure reliability in the diagnosis using the World Health Organization
criteria for diagnosis of caries carried out the examination. Parents completed
a questionnaire on dental history, patterns of attendance, oral hygiene
practice and demographic data. The dmft (6.6) for the children was high, but
consistent with other studies in the Gulf Community. Oral hygiene, family size
and mother's education were significantly associated with the disease. The
majority of patients (92.3%) attended the dental clinic without prior
appointment and the major complaints were pain, swelling, dental decay or
mobility. This placed constant pressure on emergency dental services at the
expense of resources needed for comprehensive dental services to address the
high untreated caries in the population. To break this cycle, planners of
dental services should maintain focus and develop significant strategy for
preventive dental services to improve the future quality of oral health and
life in the region.
Saudi Dental Journal 2005;17(3):126-131.
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