Risk Factors and Treatment Needs among Orphan School Children

Abstract

Aim:The aim of the study was to identify risk factors and treatment needs of orphan children of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Objectives: (1) To identify the association between the frequency of snacking and caries among orphan schoolchildren, (2) To assess Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli (microbiological assessment) in saliva of orphan children, and (3) To formulate treatment needs for orphan children. Materials and methods:A cross-sectional study was done among 253 children of 5-, 12-, and 15-year-olds living in various orphanage houses of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Demographic data, and dietary and oral hygiene practices were collected through a structured questionnaire. Clinical examinations of children were conducted to assess oral health status and recorded in the World Health Organization oral health assessment form (1997). Stimulated saliva was collected for S. mutans and Lactobacilli levels. The statistical software, namely, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19.0 was used for the analysis of the data. High levels of salivary microbiological counts (S. mutans and Lactobacilli), i.e., ≥10 5 , stress the importance of necessary preventive oral health services. Treatment needs among orphan children showed that most of the children, i.e., 58 (22.9%), need preventive or caries-arresting care followed by 49 (19.4%) who require two-surface filling as an immediate measure. Results Conclusion:From the results of our study, orphan children have low utilization of preventive and therapeutic oral health services. Urgent attention is required to plan a comprehensive dental health-care program to improve their oral health status.Clinical significance: Parents are the primary caretakers of children, but woefully some of them have to lead their lives without parents, the latter either being dead or incapable of bringing up their children. Such a group of children is known as orphans. As oral health is an integral part of general health, it is essential for health-care policy makers to address oral health needs of this underprivileged group of society. This article highlights the risk factors and treatment needs among orphan schoolchildren.

Caries in orphan children: prevalence and determinants—a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Eventually, the review included 9 records to address the caries experience of orphans compared to parented children [ 10 , 12 , 20 , 32 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 67 , 68 ], and 21 records for the caries determinants in orphan children [ 10 , 12 , 20 , 32 , 40 , 44 – 47 , 67 – 78 ] (Fig. 1 ).…”

Feasibility of Developing Audiovisual Material for Training Needs in a Vietnam Orphanage: A Mixed-Method Design

“…The literature regarding the health screening of children in orphanages is limited and screening activities are infrequent. The pandemic aside, the study of Shanti et al [ 41 ] evaluated the risk factors and treatment needs of orphan children of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, identifying poor oral health. These results are similar to ours focus group, where one of the needs identified was the improvement of daily habits, e.g., the correct way to feed the children (“ If they changed their habits a little or modified the way, they could avoid some problems (…)”.…”

Effectiveness of “Heni’s Dental Flannel Book” On Improving Dental Health Care among Early Childhood

“…Adverse effects of caries, such as difficult to chew, decreasing of appetite, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, changes in motivation, and not attending school (2,3) Although not all disorders can reduce the quality of life among children, it is necessary to establish caries prevention in a dental health program (4) . Dental and oral diseases are associated with several factors, including physical and social, individual lifestyles, behavior, socioeconomic factors, and access to health care services (5) . The behavioral factor was the most significant factor affecting dental and oral health problems among children (6 -7) .…”