Oral Health Status and Related Factors of Primary School-Children from Oral Health Surveillance System during 2005-2010

Abstract

The oral health surveillance system has been launched since 2005 which collaborated by Bureau of Dental Health, Department of Health and Provincial Health Offices all over the country. The core methodology for data collection was designed by using the survey method. The grade 6 student (approx. 12 yrs.) was defined as indexed age-group. Dental caries, gingival status and related factors were collected annually by the calibrated provincial teams. Caries free rate was quite consistent from 2005-2007 at 42% while the rate increasing gradually from 2008 to 2010 i.e.; 44.6%, 45.3%, 48.5%. Northern and Northeastern region revealed higher caries free rate comparing to other regions. The extent of dental caries measured by DMFT index also showed the same direction. There was decreasing trend from 2008 from 1.8 to 1.6 in 2010. The dental caries status of students from Northeastern region was lowest while southern region was highest. Further more gingival status was healthier each year since 2005-2010 which percentage of 48.3, 49.2, 54.0, 52.6, 56.7 and 62.5 respectively. The gingival status of students from Central region was healthier than others.