Oral Findings Among Filipino Preschool CHILDREN Age 3-5 Years

Oral diseases remain a major public health concern in the Philippines where dental caries and other odontogenic infections as characterized by the presence of pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula and abscess (pufa) have high incidence rate. The 2006 National Oral Health Survey showed a high incidence of dental caries and dental infections among 6 and 12 year old Filipino children. No epidemiological data are available for children age 3-5 years. Objective: To rank and compare the most common oral findings present among 3-5 year old children in a public daycare and a private preschool in Barangay Socorro, Quezon City, Philippines. Methods: Using convenience sampling and complete enumeration of the children who conformed to the inclusion criteria, 42 children from a private preschool and 35 children from a public daycare where included in the study. The children underwent oral examination and the parents/caregivers were given self-administered questionnaires regarding socio-demographic factors, oral hygiene practices, fluoride exposure and dietary habits of the children. Ranking, percentages and measures of central tendency (mean, mode) were done to analyze the data gathered. Results: Public daycare children were found to have more risk factors for developing oral diseases and a higher incidence of dental caries and other odontogenic infections. They presented a higher mean dmft (7.46) and pufa (3.74) index than the private preschool children who have a mean dmft (3.17) and pufa (1.62). From the total number of participants (77) the common oral findings where dental caries (66%), pulp involvement (39%), fistula (13%), abscess (7.8%) and ulceration (4%). Conclusion: Common oral findings in Filipino children age 3-5 years are dental caries, pulp involvement, fistula, abscess and ulceration. Public daycare children presented more oral health problems than private preschoolers.