A Pilot Study of Oral Health among 9-year-old Iranian Girls

Objectives: To pilot a study assessing oral health status and its determinants among 9-year-old children in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In one class of a public primary school for 9-year-old girls in December 2004, the 30 girls completed a questionnaire under supervision. A self-administered questionnaire was also delivered to their mothers, of whom 28 responded. The questions covered frequency of tooth brushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, frequency of sugary snacks between meals, regularity of and reasons for dental visits. Then a clinical examination was performed with a headlamp, dental mirror, and WHO probe, following WHO criteria, to determine DMFT, dmft, modified CPI, and PI. Mother's educational level served as a background variable. Statistical analyses by Fischer exact and Mann Whitney tests were applied. Results: Compliance in this pilot study was high. The girls' mean dmft was 2.9 (SD=2.4) and DMFT 0.8 (SD=1.1). Bleeding on probing in at least one sextant occurred in 14 (47%), with calculus found in 12 (40%) of the girls; all had plaque on at least one index tooth. These indicators showed no difference by mothers' education. Daily tooth brushing was the habit of 26 (87%) and frequent use of fluoridated toothpaste by 27 (90%); 20 girls (67%) reported eating sugary snacks less frequently than daily. Dental examination as a reason for the last dental visit was reported by 4 (14%) of the girls; 13 (43%) had visited a dentist within the previous year. Mothers' educational level had no impact on the girls' oral behavior. Conclusions: The reported oral health behavior of these girls seemed favorable, but with a low correlation with clinical findings. However, the pilot study proved feasible, justifying the study design.