PREVELANCE OF DENTAL CARIES IN 6-8 YEARS OLD CHILDERN IN SWAT REGION

Abstract

Background: Dental caries, a global health issue caused by carbohydrates and acid-producing microbes, is avoidable and affects quality of life.  Its frequency depends on race, culture, socioeconomic status, and environment.  Fluoride, nutrition, and brushing are essential for prevention.  The study of caries now includes biofilm mediation and biological, behavioral, psychological, and environmental factors.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study examined dental caries in 6-8-year-olds in urban and rural Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, attending primary schools.  Yamane's formula with a 5% error margin yielded 384 samples from basic random sampling.  SPSS version 27.0.1 was used to analyze caries prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, percentages, frequencies) and inferential statistics (chi-square and t-tests).

Results: The survey found that 38% of Swat children aged 6-8 had two decaying teeth, 18% had four, and 25.3% were caries-free.  Urban children had more caries (p = 0.039).  Brushing frequency was strongly correlated with caries (p = 0.001), with children brushing once daily having more decaying teeth than they did twice.  Sugar consumption increased dental caries (p = 0.024), with regular consumers having more deteriorated teeth.  Middle-income families had the highest caries (p = 0.023

Conclusion(s): In Swat, 38% of 6-8-year-olds had two decaying teeth and 18% have four, and dental caries is more common in urban and middle-class homes.  Infrequent brushing (one a day) and high sugar intake caused deterioration, although gender did not.  Based on these findings, recommendations include encouraging daily brushing twice, reducing sugar in the diet, increasing inexpensive dental care, especially in remote regions, and establishing school-based dental health programs to teach good oral hygiene habits.