An overview of oral health status, socio-economic and behavioral risk factors, and the pattern of tooth loss in a sample of Egyptian rural population

Abstract

Background: The lack of adequate data on the oral health status among the Egyptians is a challenging barrier for the assessment and improvement of oral health needs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to collect data on oral health status among a sample of Egyptian rural population and to assess the possible role of the socio-demographic, socio-economic, and behavioral risk factors on the status of the present dentition (the pattern of tooth loss and edentulism). Materials and methods: Data was collected from 530 patients with age ranged from 20 to 70 years using a modified World Health Organization (WHO) questionnaire. The questionnaire included information about oral health status, socio-demographic (age and sex), socio-economic (educational levels and income), and behavioral factors (smoking and oral hygiene measures). A complete intra-and extraoral examination and free dental health care services were provided by a team of qualified dental specialists from National Research Centre (NRC). Data was analyzed using chi-square and Spearman's correlation tests, and the significance level was validated at p < 0.05. Results: Females comprised 79% while males were 21% of the surveyed rural sample. Concerning socio-economic aspects including the level of education and income, it was found that 50% of the individuals completed their secondary educational levels, followed by illiterates 35.5% and preparatory levels, while college graduates were minority 4.7%. On the other hand, only 27.5% of rural had income while 72.5% of them had no income. Assessment of behavioral risk factors (oral hygiene procedures and smoking) showed that only 34.3% of the individuals claimed to brush their teeth and only a minority were male smokers (13.8%). The results demonstrated poor oral health status and increased incidence of partial edentulism (45%), where Kennedy class III was the most common type (34.6%). Conclusions:1. Lack of oral hygiene measures specifically tooth brushing is the most significant behavioral risk factor for the poor oral health status and tooth loss in this survey. 2. Sociodemographic and socio-economic factors are influential risk factors for tooth loss. 3. Cigarette smoking was not a main behavioral risk factor that impacts the oral health status in the present survey

Oral Health Attitudes among Preclinical and Clinical Dental Students: A Pilot Study and Self-Assessment in an Egyptian State-Funded University

“…Within the student population, females presented better oral health attributes than males, as stated previously in different countries [ 3 , 20 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. This observation was equally remarked upon in relation to the general Egyptian population [ 6 ] and could be ascribed to the evidence that females frequently pay more attention to their appearance, general health, and body and demonstrate a better awareness regarding behaviour that improves their oral and dental health [ 3 , 34 ].…”

“…Most of Egypt's citizens live in urban regions, mostly within the densely populated mega-centres of Cairo and Alexandria, besides the other major cities of the Nile Delta and along the Suez Canal [5]. These areas are considered amongst the world's most densely populated locations, with more than 1540 persons per square kilometre, where health-related quality of life and oral public health have been demonstrated to be the main problems [5][6][7][8]. The Egyptian education system, one of the largest educational structures in Africa and the Middle East, involves a highly extensive network of higher education organisations, with 25 public universities and nearly 20 private educational institutions [9].…”

The effect of unhealthy dietary habits on the incidence of dental caries and overweight/obesity among Egyptian school children (A cross-sectional study)

“…The absence of dental services within the primary healthcare centers in Egypt leads to limited or no access to effective dental care ( 82 ). According to a WHO-sponsored epidemiological study on the state of oral health in Egypt, dental services were not being used to their full potential, and 40% of the included individuals stated that they had dental problems at the time of the study but chose not to seek dental care.…”

Bucco-dental hygiene in the adult population in Bafia, Cameroon

“…Regardless of the number of daily brushing, brushing technique and cleaning products used, the study underlines that oral hygiene among youth in Bafia is poor. A general finding shared by several studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa including Abid et al [37] and Moussa et al [38].…”