Oral Health and Behavior of Slum Children in Mumbai

Objectives: The project intended to analyze the oral health and behavior profiles on slum children in Mumbai during our international service learning period to provide scientific evidence for future oral hygiene and volunteer programs designed.
Methods: A total number of 127 slum children were random sampling and invited to join the project during our 3 weeks service learning period in 2014. Data were collected by self-administered structured questionnaires and clinical examinations (WHO criteria). Collected data were subjected to analysis with descriptive statistics and compare means between variables using SPSS 18.0 software package.
Results: 44.9% children brushed at least twice a day with only 26% use dental floss. Only 39.4% children brushed their teeth before sleep. A dental visit within the precious 12 months was reported by 37.8% and only 15.7% children accepted professional fluoride appliances. Two thirds of children reported bleeding on brushing and 81.1% of the children experienced toothache. Up to 85% subjects would not visit dentist if they do not have economic support even they experienced toothache or gum bleeding. The average DMFT, plaque index, calculus index and gingival index are 3.35±3.08, 0.57±0.40, 0.56±1.26 and 0.62±0.46, respectively. Significant higher calculus index and lower DT in female were found compared with gender. Knowledges associated with oral hygiene were gathered from parents and school teachers.
Conclusions: The results indicate that children’s oral hygiene behaviors needed to be improved. Free or cheaper dental service may be necessary for Slumbai children. Comprehensive oral prevention programs and volunteer dental service may be organized in our future international service learning project.