dc.description.abstract | Background: Oral health is an integral part of the general health of children and it has been
defined as “a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer,
oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal disease, tooth decay and
tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity”. Although there has
been a great global success in improving the oral health of children, the problem still exists
in many communities around the world; particularly among the under-privileged in both
developed and developing countries. Dental caries and periodontal diseases, which are
associated with poor oral hygiene and dietary factors, have been considered as important
components of the global disease burden. These two diseases can effectively be prevented
and controlled through a combination of community, professional and individual oral health
prevention and promotion strategies.
Setting: Lady Northey Dental Clinic, Nairobi City County, Kenya.
Objectives: The main objective of the present study was to assess the oral health status
and treatment needs of 3 to 6-year-olds attending Lady Northey dental clinic.
Study Design and Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a
minimal analytic component. The study population comprised of 3 to 6 year-old children, who
attended Lady Northey dental clinic during the months of September to November, 2014. A
structured interview with the child’s parent/caregiver was used to collect data on the sociodemographic
profile, oral hygiene and dietary practices. A clinical examination was then
carried out by the principal investigator and a record made of oral mucosal lesions, dental
caries, plaque deposits, gingival status, malocclusion and the corresponding treatment
needs for each of these variables.
Data analysis and presentation: The data collected was coded, entered, cleaned and
analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Univariate
analyses were performed using Chi-square, ANOVA and t-tests. Adjusted odds ratios from
multivariate logistic regression was also computed to obtain the association between
different variables. The results of the analysis were presented in the form of charts and
tables. | en_US |
dc.description.department | a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya | |