Original Article
Volume: 36 | Issue: 4 | Published: Dec 31, 2020 | Pages: 356 - 362 | DOI: 10.24911/BioMedica/5-79
Comparison of Oral Health Status of Students Attending Three Different Education Systems in Pakistan
Authors: Dr. Nadia Zaib , Mahrukh Zafar , Rabia Masood , Amber Kiyani
Article Info
Authors
Dr. Nadia Zaib
Oral Pathology Department, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad-Pakistan.
Mahrukh Zafar
Demonstrator, Oral Pathology Department, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad-Pakistan
Rabia Masood
BDS, M.Phil (Oral Pathology) ,Assistant Professor, Oral Pathology Department, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad-Pakistan.
Amber Kiyani
BDS, MS (Oral Pathology), Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad-Pakistan.
Publication History
Received: October 21, 2020
Revised: November 28, 2020
Accepted: December 07, 2020
Published: December 31, 2020
Abstract
Background and Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of dental caries through the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index of students belonging to the three different education systems of Pakistan in order to ascertain the baseline statistics for the Pakistani student population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the year 2018 to record DMFT scores of students studying in madrassas, government and private schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 663 students underwent a DMFT evaluation by trained dentists following the consent of their parents. The results were analyzed by using one way ANOVA and post-hoc tests for comparing DMFT scores among the students of different school system using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and a P-value of <0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: Madrassa group of students had the best DMFT scores; mean DMFT of 1.2 ± 1.9 whereas private school students had a mean DMFT of 2.17 ± 2.9 and Government school children had a mean DMFT score of 2.09 ± 2.08. While comparing the DMFT scores of madrassa students with government and private school students, statistically significant results were observed.
Conclusion: Although an acceptable DMFT score was obtained for each of the three education systems; madrassa, government and private schools; the DMFT scores were the lowest for the madrassa students indicating best dental health in them.
Keywords: DMFT, School children, Pakistani education systems, Socioeconomic status
