The comparison of oral health problems with other health problems in urban school children of 10-14 years: a group screening.

Contributors: 1Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontics, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India; 2Senior Lecturer, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Vananchal Dental College & Hospitals, Garhwa, Jharkand, India; 3Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Telangana, India; 4Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India; 5Reader, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India; 6Consultant Pedodontist, Bhat’s Dental Clinic, Kumbla, Kasargod, Kerala, India. Correspondence: Dr. Kumar RN. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur 584 103, Karnataka, India. Mobile: +91-9912935146. Email: ramagoni@yahoo.co.in How to cite the article: Buddiga V, Gupta B, Aravind K, Reddy MV, Kumar RN, Ashwin D. The comparison of oral health problems with other health problems in urban school children of 10-14 years: A group screening. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(5):77-80. Abstract: Background: The overall health, well-being, education, learning abilities, development of children, families, and communities can be affected by oral health. However in the developing nations, the importance of oral health in comparison to general health is minimal. The objective was to evaluate and compare the oral health problems in relation to general health problems of the same children by a group screening method. Materials and Methods: A total of 592 children in the age group of 10-14 years were selected from class 6 to 10, the focus initially was on general health screening, vision screening, oral health screening, tonsillar, and auditory screening of students. Among these children, 296 individuals were apparently healthy with no undiagnosed health aliments; the remaining children were having some health problems. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. Results: About 50% of children were apparently healthy, 19.9% had oral health problems, which was considerably higher than other health problems. The general health problems were 15.20%. Conclusion: By conducting such a study, we can know that the awareness and identification of other health problems are in urban school children is higher than the oral health problems. This recommends promoting awareness on the oral health and importance of regular dental check-up in children.