title: Comprehensive dental health care program at an orphanage in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Provision of oral health care in India, especially for the underprivileged is limited due to inadequate finances and manpower. Resources of dental colleges in such a scenario can be utilized to provide prevention oriented oral health care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To improve the oral health status of children at an institute in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India, through prevention based comprehensive dental health care program (CDHP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal institution based interventional study conducted among the primary grade children (n=162).
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline data collection included (i) basic demographic data (ii) body mass index (BMI) (iii) assessment of the dentition status and treatment needs according to WHO 1997 criteria. The CDHP included group based dental health education, professional oral prophylaxis, weekly (0.2%) sodium fluoride mouth rinse program, biannual application of topical fluoride (1.23% APF), pit and fissure sealants for all first permanent molars and provision of all necessary curative services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean treatment requirements per child decreased at 18 months. New caries lesions developed among four children. BMI of children with decay was seen to improve significantly after instituting the CDHP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CDHP is effective in overall improvement of general and oral health. In resource limited countries like India, such programs organized by dental schools can improve oral health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chinthareddypalem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Dhanya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muralidharan
authors.forename: Nusrath
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fareed
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shanthi
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D054540:Child, Orphaned; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003190:Comprehensive Dental Care; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D019372:Orphanages; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D009067:Mouthwashes; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D012969:Sodium Fluoride