Dental survey of children in Haryana, India

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease influenced by diet, socio economic strata, and fluoride exposure. Recent epidemiological studies in economically developing countries show that the prevalence and severity of dental caries has increased with industrialization and exposure to a western type diet.

Objective:

The aim was this study was to investigate the effect of diet, natural level of fluoride in drinking water, oral health habits, and socio economic status on dental caries in industrialized areas of Haryana.

Material and methods:

A cross-sectional survey of 1403 schoolchildren aged 6 and 12 years was conducted. Schools were randomly selected from rural and urban areas in Faridabad, Haryana. The children were examined for dental caries and fluorosis experience using WHO criteria. A visual examination of the teeth was conducted in natural daylight. A questionnaire on residence history, diet history, dental visits, and oral health behaviour was completed by the 12-year-olds only.

Results:

The fluoride content in drinking water ranged from 0.68 to 0.99 mg/L. Fluorosis prevalence was 44% but was more prevalent among poor urban children. The caries experience results are shown in table below. Caries experience was also more severe among poor urban children.

Conclusion:

Dental caries experience in industrialized areas of Haryana is less than observed elsewhere in most developing countries. There is a large difference in the prevalence and distribution of dental caries between rural and urban children. Dental treatment background also differs markedly.