CO-RELATION OF DENTAL PAIN WITH CARIES STATUS IN 12-15 YEAR OLD CHILDREN RESIDING IN ORPHANAGES OF LUCKNOW CITY

Abstract

Introduction: Children residing in orphans face a number of challenges which include limited or no access to basic health care and oral health care, which is one of their unmet health care needs. Neglected oral health care is associated with the development and progression of periodontal disease, caries and ultimately pain. Aims & Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the association between dental pain and caries status in 12-15 year old children residing in orphanages of Lucknow city. Materials & Methods: All the children residing in orphanages of Lucknow city falling in the WHO index age group of 12-15 years were included in the study. The data was collected by using child dental pain questionnaire which was based on a questionnaire developed by Shepherd et al, in 1999.⁹ The proforma included questions on dental pain associated with caries status. The questionnaire was organized into 3 subscales: (1) prevalence; (2) severity; and (3) impact of toothache on children’s quality of life. It was composed of 6 questions, with 2 items in each subscale. Results: A total of 103 subjects were included in the present study. About one third of the subjects were in the age of 14 years (30.1%) and 13 years (29.1%).  However, 23.3% were in the age 15 years and 17.5% in the 12 years.  More than half (69.9%) of the subjects were males (69.9%). Categorical groups were compared by chi-square (χ²) test. A two- tailed (α=2) P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analysis was performed on SPSS software (windows version 22.0). Conclusion:  The neglect of oral health of this socially deprived class of children is evident by the present study which further strengthens the impact  of social deprivation   on the health of an individual.