A comparative study of dental caries status and oral health practices among six years old children of private and government schools in Siliguri city, West Bengal

  • Unique Paper ID: 158508
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 9
  • PageNo: 605-609
  • Abstract:
  • Oral health has a significant impact on physical, social and mental well-being of an individual. Very few studies have been conducted in relation to caries experience and oral hygiene practices among 6-years-old school children in Siliguri city. The purpose of this study was to compare the caries status and oral health practices among 6-years-old schoolchildren studying in private and government schools in Siliguri city, West Bengal. Five hundred and twelve (256 private and 256 government) 6-years-old schoolchildren were selected through multistage random sampling procedure. Clinical conditions recorded were caries, using dmft / dmfs and DMFT / DMFS index. The mean dmft / dmfs (3.44±3.07/9.22±10.35) and DMFT/DMFS (0.56±1.10/0.77±1.76) among government school children was higher than the private school children dmft / dmfs (2.75±2.79/6.72±8.32) and DMFT/DMFS (0.28±0.69/0.37±0.98) and the difference was found to be statistically significant. The survey also showed that, 87.1% of the government and 92.6% of the private schoolchildren brushed their teeth regularly (twice a day) with tooth brush. The information obtained from the study can be used for oral health program planning for children. In addition, to preventing oral disease and promoting oral health, the local health authorities should give priority to school-based community-oriented oral health care services. Parents and school teacher’s involvement should be considered in oral health programme for children. Local health authorities should give priority to school-based community-oriented oral health care services.

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