Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: The most common oral health disease affecting young children is dental caries and periodontitis. The present study was conducted to evaluate oral health status of school children & its association with parent’s education level. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Pediatric dentistry on 236 children age ranged 4-15 years of both genders (boys- 120, girls- 116). A parent's educational level was classified as 'high' 'middle' and 'low' when they had attended only primary school or no education. Careful oral examination was done using the World Health Organization Oral Health Survey basic methods. Dental caries was assessed using dmft index; Oral hygeine status was evaluated using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) of Greene and Vermillion.5 The oral hygiene of each child was classified as 'good' when the OHI-S score was 0–0.9, 'fair' when it was 1.0–1.9 and 'poor' when it was 2.0 up to 6. Results: Age group 4-6 years had 24 boys, 26 girls, 7-9 years had 30 boys, 32 girls, 10-12 years had 26 boys, 22 girls and 13- 15 years had 40 boys and 36 girls. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). dmft score in age group 4-6 years was 1.42 ± 2.10 and in 7-9 years was 1.38 ± 2.64. DMFT score in age group 10-12 years was 0.6 ± 1.16 and in 13-15 years was 0.8 ± 1.21. OHI- S was good in 53% males and 66% females, fair in 24% males and 18% females and poor in 23% males and 16% females. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Parent education level was high (34%), middle (21%) and low (45%). The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Oral hygeine status of children was good in maximum children and parent education level was poor in most of the children. Key words: Children, Dental caries, Oral hygeine status.