Study the Contributing Factors for Dental Problems among Children: (Descriptive Study)

Abstract

Oral health has a great effect on health and quality of life. It is a state of being free from dental problems as, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing; And knowing the risk factors for these dental problems such as knowledge related dental problems and dental care practices, nutritional and family habits, general dental knowledge, dental care related practice, breast feeding and weaning technique, dental laundry practice (Asuman, 2012) Aim of the study: The aim of this study is toassess the contributing factors for dental problems among children through: 1. Determine the common dental problems among the studied children. 2. Identify the contributing factors to the dental problems among the studied children. Research questions: What are the most common dental problems among children? What are the contributing factors for these dental problems? Setting: This study was conducted at outpatient dental clinic at El-Demerdash hospital and pediatric outpatient dental clinic at faculty of dental medicine; both are affiliated to Ain Shams University where the researcher registered for master degree in faculty of nursing, Ain Shams University. Subject: A convenient sample of (100) children and their mothers who were available throughout a period of data collection and attending the previous mentioned setting.

Tools of data collection After reviewing the related literature data were collected through using the following tools The first tool: Interviewing Questionnaire Sheet. Itwas consisted from three parts: I-Socio demographic characteristics of the studiedchildren such as age, gender, child's ranking, family number, dental problem, number of teeth…etc. Also, it will include the data aboutcharacteristics of the mothers such as age, working, and educational level ….etc. II- Historyof the children's dental health condition, age at eruption of the first milky teeth, type of feeding, favorite foods, number of teeth, habits of brushing and health condition of the child…etc. III- Knowledge of the studied children's and their mother's about normal dentition, definition of dental problems, common dental problems and its contributing factors, and the pattern of dental care…etc. The second tool: observational check list: - It was adopted from Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), (2002), it was used to assess the actual children practices related to the technique of teeth. Results of the study: The main finding of the study can be summarized as the following: • In this study concerning the socio demographic characteristics of the studied children, it was found that, the children's mean age was 13.07±4.56 years, more than two thirds (69%) of the studied children were males. In relation to the child's ranking it was found that, 38% of the studied children were the second among their families. As regards the educational level of studied children, the results revealed that less than half (43%) of them were in primary education. • Concerning the characteristics of the studied mothers it was found that majority (91%) of mothers were in age group >25 years, with mean (27.05±6.09). Also, it was found that, a minority of the studied mothers (8%) were illiterate. As regards their occupation more than half (53%) of them were house wife mothers. • In this study, it was found that, tooth decay, traumatic injuries, gum disease and tooth loss were the common dental problems among children 33%, 28%, 26% and 21% respectively. • Concerning to the nutritional habits of the studied children it was found that, more than half (56%) of the studied children their favorite foods were chocolate, about two thirds (62%) of them their knowledge were that cheese keeping teeth healthy. While, more than half (58%) of the studied children knew foods must be avoided was sweets. • Thestudy finding revealed that, more than half ( 60%) of the studied children were breast fed, and 33% of them were bottle fed and near to majority (80%) of the studied children were fed by bottle at night, 25%, 24% and 6% were fed by buffalo milk, cow milk and herbalists respectively. The majority (88%) of the studied mothers didn't put sugar in bottle at night , and more than half (72%) of the studied mothers give the child water after bottle. • In relation to the importance of teeth brushing more than two thirds (75%) of studied children didn't know the importance of tooth brushing, more than two third (71%) of them didn't know the method of tooth brushing. while 20% of the studied mothers washed the teeth of their children with water. • Regarding dental follow upthis study clarified that, only 40% of the studied children go to private dental clinic. While 25% of the studied children were visit the dentist regularly. • The study findings showed that, 85%, 80% and 70% of the studied children have poor knowledge related dental care, knowledge related dental care practice and knowledge about normal dentition respectively. Regarding knowledge of the studied mothers this figure showed that, 92%, 88% and 82% of the studied mothers have poor knowledge related dental care, knowledge related dental care practice and knowledge about normal dentition respectively. • Regarding teeth brushing this study illustrated that, more than half (55%) of the studied children were not brush each tooth separately. While 65% of the studied children wash inner and the outer surface of the upper and lower teeth from the gums to crown of each tooth.