DENTAL CARIES PREVALENCE, DENTAL CARE PRACTICE AND
PREVENTIVE PROGRAM AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PRANODHAYA
SCHOOL
ABSTRACT
Dental caries prevalence and dental care practice was studied in school children students
(n=118 ), out of which 56 were male and 62 were girls. The DMFT and dft index was
found to be 0.29 and 1.18 respectively. During the program , we have found 101 students
brushes their teeth and 17 students who do not brush. Among 118 students, 93 students use
proper toothbrush, 57 students use fluoridated tooth paste and 39 use non-fluoridated tooth
paste. Majority of the students have fairly satisfactory knowledge about dental caries in
terms of caries prevention but showed fair dental care practice. Preventive treatments
provided were topical fluoride applications for 24 stduents and Atraumatic Restorative
Treatments ART) for 24 students.
KEY WORDS:
Dental caries, DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled), Dft (decayed, filled), ART (Atraumatic
Restorative Treatment), OHI (Oral Hygiene Instruction), Topical fluoride
INTRODUCTION
Dental caries, a highly prevalent oral disease in all countries of the world, is an important
public health problem. During last several years, as a result of prevention programs like
fluoridation schemes, improved oral hygiene practice, use of fluoridated tooth paste,
school oral health services, accessibility to oral health care services and affordability, the
oral health status including dental caries among the people has remarkably improved in
most developed countries.1-2 However, the situation is worsening in many developing
countries including Nepal. This may hold true for countries where preventive programs
have not been implemented. Mainly, in context of Nepal, dental caries is one of the most
prevalent diseases causing pain and discomfort. The incidence of untreated dental caries in
Nepal is increasing. The WHO Pathfinder survey conducted in 1994 showed that 36% of
the 12 year old children in Nepal were affected by dental caries and a mean 12 year old
DMFT is 0.9. 8 In the village and suburban regions, it is due to poor oral hygiene habits
like brushing and mouth rinsing, poor nutritive food consumption as well as lack of trained
health professionals. But, in the urban areas increased consumption of processed food,
sticky high caloric snacks, in-between meals, etc have added more in addition to the above
mentioned factors.
Education is one of the determinants of the health and an important aspect of health
promotion. In studies of social class and health behavior it was found that high scores of
dental knowledge and attitudes to teeth and oral health care is more frequent in people with
