Oral Health Status Of School Children Aged 3-16 Years Across Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India: A Cross Sectional Analytical Study

Abstract

Background: Oral problems can cause strong impact on the functional, emotional, and social aspects of children and adolescents. This study aims to assess oral health status of school children in Mumbai Metropolitan region, Maharashtra. Methodology: oral health status was evaluated for 1700 school children aged 3-16 years across Mumbai, Maharashtra. Dental caries status, oral hygiene status, malocclusion was assessed along with basic demographic details. Frequencies and mean values were calculated and correlated with different variables. Results: mean DMFT values were 2.6±3.025, 1.91± 2.308 and 0.16±0.713  in 3-6years, 7-12 years and more than 13years of age group respectively.  Caries status was significantly associated with low socioeconomic status, malocclusion and other variables. Conclusions: These findings suggest urgent need to address these issues and plan a comprehensive oral health program at school levels.  Further research is needed for in-depth analyse of oral health related behaviour among the population to better understand the problem and plan a efficient preventive program.