Dental Caries and Severity of Gingivitis Among 12-14 Year Old Children in a School of Vadodara District: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The dental caries and gingivitis are considered as one of the most prevalent diseases in the general population. If dental caries and gingivitis are assessed at an early age, it might prevent the risk of endodontic and periodontal diseases in the future. This intervention is effective, especially among teenagers. The aim of the study was to perceive the prevalence of dental caries and gingivitis in children aged 12 to 14 years residing in a rural area of Vadodara city. Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study with a total sample size of 339 in a secondary school of Vadodara district. DMFT index and CPITN index were recorded with No. 23 explorer and CPITN-E probes respectively, and a mouth mirror (Instruments were autoclaved prior to use). One-way Anova test and student t-test were used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental caries amongst participants was found to be 97.7% and that of gingivitis was found to be 75% (approximately). Conclusion: Children belonging to the Vadodara district have a high risk of getting an endodontic and periodontal infection in the future, indicating the need for oral health education and promotion.