Complete Oral Rehabilitation in Tsunami Affected Children

Methods: 100 children residing in the rehablitation centres for the Tsunami survivors were screened by a single examiner using a mouth mirror and explorer under natural light. The findings were recorded in a data sheet. The demographic details, oral hygeine measures, presence of anomalies, DMFT and deft were recorded. Oral hygeine aids were then distributed to the children and children with caries were treated in a private clinic free of cost.

Results: The age range of the children were from 6-17 years. 42% were boys and 58% were girls. 24% children belonged to the 6-11 age group and 76% belonged to the 12-17 years age group. 86% children brushed their teeth with tooth brush and dentrifice, 8% with finger and dentrifice, 2% with brush and tooth powder, 2% with finger and tooth powder and 2% with neem stick. The mean deft in the 6-11 age group was 0.67 and the mean DMFT in the age group 11-17 was 1.4.

Conclusion: Oral health status of Tsunami affected children was checked followed by distribution of oral aides and treatment of the affected children.