Oral Health Status of 12- and 15-Year-Old Students in Qatar: Findings From the National Oral Health Survey

Abstract

Introduction: The national oral health survey-Qatar (2011) was carried out to collect the baseline oral health information among youth. This article describes the oral health status of 12 and 15-year-old students in Qatar. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed for 12 (N=1060) and 15 (N=1064) yearold students. Caries status was determined based on decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT)=0 (no caries) & DMFT ≥1 (caries present). Mean indices among nationalities and sex were compared by Student’s t test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means by the type of the school. Logistic regression was used to examine associations among variables. Results: About 53% (n=565) of 12-year-old and 55% (n=589) of 15-year-old had varying degrees of caries. The odds of caries were higher among girls vs. boys aged 12 years (OR [odds ratio] =1.3, P=0.05) and 15-years-old (OR=1.28, P=0.04). Qatari students had a higher mean DMFT value (1.3 ± 1.2) compared to non-Qataris (0.82 ± 1.1). The public/independent school students had higher mean DMFT (1.31 ± 1.2) vs. other two school categories. Fifteen-year-old students had lower odds (OR=0.81, P=0.02) of gingival bleeding and higher odds (OR=1.68, P<0.001) of calculus vs. 12-year-old. Dental fluorosis was found among 15% of 12-year-old and 16.6% of 15- year-old . The odds of fluorosis were higher (not statistically significant) among 15-years-old (OR=1.1, P=0.36). Lower odds of bleeding teeth (OR=0.81, P=0.02) and higher odds of calculus were found among 15-year-old (OR=1.68, P<0.001) compared to 12-year-old. Conclusion: The results provide directions to further strengthen the oral health strategies through various evidence-based interventions.

Keywords

• Qatar
• Dental Caries
• DMFT
• National survey
• Oral Health
• Adolescents