DENTAL HEALTH STATUS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DENTAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG LOWLAND AND HILLTRIBE CHILDREN IN SAMOENG DISTRICT, CHIANGMAI PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the dental health status and the relationships between factors and dental health status in lowland and hilltribe children. A total of 221 individuals were included, comprising 91 low land and 130 hill tribe children. The data collection used q questionnaire and an oral health survey form. The results showed that the lowland children and hill tribe children having dental caries were 43.9 % and 42.3%, respectively. When considering individual factors in teeth decay, the female children had a higher problem in an average of 48.1%, compared with the male children at 38.5%. The children whose guardians finished compulsory education actually had a higher number of problems with tooth decay, averaging 51.9%, compared with those whose guardians didn’t finish compulsory education, 40.1%. Guardians who had a career in commerce such as a trading had children with problems of teeth decay compared with those guardians having other careers, averaging 75.0%. As well as the children with guardians who worked as government officers having dental problem 66.7%. Children being under care of their parents had more problems with tooth decay 43.2%, compared with those being taken care from relatives had 40.0%. However, the relationships of genders, guardians careers, and person taking care of children were not significantly associated with tooth decay. The children having snack breaks more than or equal to three times a day had more problem of dental health than those with the snack less than two times at 68.2 and 22.3, respectively. Significantly, frequencies of daily food taken and tooth brushing were associated with the dental caries. In addition to the school health promotion, an examination of oral health, and appropriate education for the students towards improving awareness of good oral health, the school administrators should realize on the importance of tooth brushing after meals.