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SELF ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH AND RISK FACTORS AFFECTING ORAL HYGIENE STATUS IN ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING DENTAL CLINIC
O O Ogunsuji1, E B Dosumu2, M D Dairo3
1Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine
|March 25, 2022
Summary
Late adolescents show poorer oral hygiene (OHI-S) and higher decay experience (DMFT) than younger peers. Increased oral health education in schools and clinics is recommended for adolescents to improve oral hygiene practices.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Dental Public Health
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are globally increasing, including major oral diseases like caries and periodontal disease.
- Adolescents exhibit a concerning trend of increasing prevalence and severity of oral diseases, despite dental service accessibility.
- Understanding adolescent oral health status and self-perception is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the self-perception of oral health among adolescents utilizing dental services.
- To assess the oral hygiene status of these adolescents.
- To identify factors influencing adolescent oral hygiene.
Main Methods:
- A clinic-based cross-sectional study involving 113 adolescents at the Dental Center, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
- Systematic random sampling was employed for participant recruitment.
- A WHO Oral Health questionnaire assessed socio-demographics, self-perception of oral health, and oral hygiene practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent T test, and One way ANOVA (p<0.05 significance).
Main Results:
- A majority of adolescents reported positive self-perception of their teeth (53.1%) and gingiva (62.8%).
- Mean Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) was 2.24, with 62.8% having fair oral hygiene. Mean Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) was 0.96, with 75.2% having very low DMFT.
- Late adolescents demonstrated significantly higher mean OHI-S and DMFT scores compared to early adolescents (p<0.05). Daily teeth cleaning frequency was not significantly associated with DMFT.
Conclusions:
- Late adolescence is associated with poorer oral hygiene and higher dental caries experience.
- Enhanced oral health awareness programs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions are recommended.
- Adolescents attending dental clinics should receive consistent education on good oral hygiene practices for improved long-term oral health.
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