ASSESSMENT of ORAL and DENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN LIVING IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA RURAL: CROSS-SECTIONAL FIELD RESULTS

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Oral and tooth diseases ara major concern in our country and the world. The aim of this survey is determining DMTF (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) indexes profile of Adiyaman Celikhan village in children of ages 4 to 15 and conditions affecting oral and tooth health. Materyal Metod; This descriptive survey is performed in 2 preschool, 12 village 5 town center primary schools, 2 village and 5 town center secondary schools among 4 to 15 years of aged with a total number of 2358 students between May 15 and June 15,2015. Tooth experience of every child described by indexes of DMTF which is developed by clinical and radiografic findings. Results: Datas of students aged between 4 to 15 with a total number of 2358 were analysed. Mean DMFT index was 3.07 (n=26) in 5 years old children and 2,83 (n=323) in 12 years old children, and 3.24 (n=34) in 15 years old children. There was no statistically significant difference between DMFT indexes of different ages (p>0,05). Conclusion: Described tooth decay rate and DMFT index in rural parts of Adiyaman is high compared to country's mean index of 1,9 and far high from the target of WHO's 21th century target index of 1.5. Treatment services utilized with preventive precautions need to be supported with education programs and performed prevelant among children, would decrease prevelance of tooth decay in our country.