Prevalence of Dental Caries among Adult Patients in Bungoma County, Kenya

Globally, dental caries has affected nearly 100% of adult teeth.  Dental caries is caused when microbial biofilm converts free sugar contained in such foods and drinks into acid which corrodes the tooth structure. In Kenya, the prevalence is 34%. This high prevalence has led to the negative impact associated with the disease. Therefore, this study’s main aim was to determine the prevalence of dental caries among adult patients in Bungoma County, Kenya. This study was conducted in Bungoma County and adopted a cross-sectional design. The target population was adult dental patients and the key informants were the dentist and dental technologist. Participants were selected using multistage sampling techniques. The sample size of 347 dental patients was arrived at using Cochran’s formula. Data were collected using the WHO-modified assessment questionnaire. WHO DMFT index checklist was also used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25.0. Data were presented using tables and figures. Logistic regression was used to determine the direction of the association at the significance level set at 0.05. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The researcher observed the ethical principles applicable to the study.  The prevalence of dental caries among adult patients was 43.7% with a mean total DMFT index of 3.249 which signifies a moderate distribution among the adult population. Kimilili sub-county hospital had a moderate mean DMFT index of 4.47 and Webuye County hospital had a low mean DMFT index of 1.585. Dental caries was more prevalent in youths aged between 18 years to 35 years (60.1%). Moreover, the female gender has more dental caries prevalence at 57.4% as compared to male patients. The prevalence of dental caries is more prone among the rural (56.8%) as compared to the urban (43.2%). According to incomes, individuals who earn more than Ksh. 23,750 have a higher prevalence of 65.6%) than those who earn less than Ksh. 23,750 (34.4%). Dental caries is more prominent in the lower jaw. Those who do not brush their teeth were 4 times more likely to develop dental caries as compared to those who practise good oral hygiene practices (OR =3.0). Those who consume sugary foods and drinks frequently (OR: 2.4) and those who smoke tobacco (OR: 2.0) were times more likely to develop dental caries compared to those who did not consume sugary foods and smoke tobacco. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries among adults is moderate with the prevalence being higher in youths, female, low-income earners (< ksh.23,750) and rural dwellers. In terms of the jaws, the lower jaw is more susceptible to caries attack compared to the upper jaw and also the posterior teeth (premolar and molars) are more susceptible to caries compared to the upper jaw. Recommendation: There is a need to conduct a community-based campaign even through Chiefs’ Barazas on the importance of proper oral hygiene practices in Bungoma County.