Oral Health Status Among Adults in Kuwait

Objectives: To describe the oral health status of adults in the State of Kuwait.
Methods: In June 2012, a cross-sectional study was done at the Housing Authority in the State of Kuwait. Oral health examination was performed to a convenience sample of adults during morning working hours (N=299). Six trained and calibrated dentists performed the examinations on three Portable Dental Chairs. A consent form was signed by the participants before the examination. Visual examination was used. Data was collected about dental caries, oral hygiene, and periodontal status on a manual form by trained recorders. After examination all participants received oral hygiene instructions given by two dental hygienists. Data was entered and analyzed on Epi-info 3.5.4.
Results: Total number of participants was N=299 in which 225 (75%) were Kuwaiti and 73 (24%) were from other nationality. Overall, the mean age was 36.3±10.9 years. The gender distribution was 174 (58%) males and 122 (41%) females. Seventy seven percent of the adults were healthy and 18% were unhealthy. Almost all participants liked their job (90.6%).
The mean number of teeth present was 28.4±3. Few participants had remaining roots (10.7%).
Only 1% of participants were edentulous. Almost all participants had natural teeth (98%).
The mean number of teeth with dental caries (coronal and root caries) was 2.6±3.3. The mean number of untreated caries in the coronal part was 2.4±2.9. The mean number of untreated caries in the root was 0.2±1.04. Mean number of filled teeth was 4.3±4.2. Mean number of treated root caries was 0.04±0.3. The mean number treated coronal caries was 2.4±2.9. More than quarter of participants was caries free (38%). The prevalence of participants with caries was 62%. Forty two percent of participants had gingival recession in at least one tooth. Mean number of teeth with gingival recession was 3.06±4.9. Only 2% of participants had soft tissue abnormality. Almost 28% of employees had good oral hygiene, 40% had fair oral hygiene, and 23.4% had poor oral hygiene.
Conclusions: The data showed that there is high caries prevalence among adults in Kuwait which could be attributed to the poor hygiene. Efforts should be laid on introducing oral health promotion activities in workplaces promoting oral hygiene practices among adults in Kuwait.