Oral health status and associated socioeconomic factors among primary school students in Kemalpaşa district of Izmir

Abstract

Objective: Oral health, although very critical in childhood is amongst the neglected issues. Oral health problems are more prevalent in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups of the population. The aim of this study is to evaluate oral health status regarding prevalence of dental carries and DMF-T values and the associated socioeconomic factors among 6. and 7. grade students of Kemalpaşa district in Izmir City. Methods: This cross-sectional study has been performed among 6. and 7. grade students. A total of 832 students were evaluated (624 in urban primary schools, 208 in rural primary schools). Dental carries and DMF-T score were the dependent variables. Age, sex, school type, wealth status, mother’s and father’s education, health insurance, father’s occupation were the independent variables. The univariate analysis were performed with chi-square test, and the multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model. Results: More than half (60.3%) of the students had at least one dental caries in their permanent teeth.The mean DMF-T score was 1.55 in the study population. The risk of dental carries in the permanent teeth increased 2-fold (1.10-3.66) among students of the rural schools, 1.64 times (1.062.54) in low socioeconomic status, while this risk was 1.95 times (1.10-3.48) higher among students of poorly educated mothers. The risk of having a DMF-T score above zero increased 2.06 times (1.12-3.81) for students who had educated mothers. Conclusion: Oral health status of the students shows the need for treatment and prevention is an important issue. Lower socioeconomic status of the family, and educational status of the mother, unemployed father and attending an urban primary school are socioeconomic variables associated with oral health problems. Oral health services which should deal with preventive and therapeutic measures must aim to cover all children and health care services in consideration of risk groups should be given at schools and primary health care centers.