Oral health of school age children in Kampong Thum Cambodia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Aims of this study were to describe the dental caries and periodontal status of children in Kampong Thum, Cambodia and to report on their oral health related habits. METHOD: Oral examinations were conducted on school age children in two villages in Kampong Thum, Cambodia in September, 2006. The caries status of all children and the periodontal status of 12-year-old children was assessed according to the procedures and diagnostic criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. A parental questionnaire survey was also performed to study the children's tooth brushing and dietary habits. RESULTS: A total of 59 6-year-old children and 79 12-year-old children were examined. The caries experience (dmft) of the 6-year-old children was 7.7±5.7. There were a few missing teeth due to caries but no restoration was found (ft=0). The caries experience (DMFT) of the 12-year-old children was 1.2±2.0, and all were untreated caries. None of the surveyed 12-year-old children had healthy gum and 58% had calculus. A total of 138 questionnaires were collected. The result found 48% and 20% of the 6- and 12- year-old children, respectively, never brushed. Their staple diet was rice and congee. Sweet snacks were uncommon. CONCLUSION: Caries experience of the 6-year-old children was high and most of the caries were untreated. Caries experience of the 12-year-old children was relatively low but they all had bleeding gum and poor oral hygiene. Their oral hygiene practices needed to be improved as many children never brushed their teeth.