The comparison of oral health problems with other health problems in urban school children of 10-14 years: a group screening.
BACKGROUND
The overall health, well-being, education, learning abilities, development of children, families, and communities can be affected by oral health. However in the developing nations, the importance of oral health in comparison to general health is minimal. The objective was to evaluate and compare the oral health problems in relation to general health problems of the same children by a group screening method.


METHODS
A total of 592 children in the age group of 10-14 years were selected from class 6 to 10, the focus initially was on general health screening, vision screening, oral health screening, tonsillar, and auditory screening of students. Among these children, 296 individuals were apparently healthy with no undiagnosed health aliments; the remaining children were having some health problems. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test.


RESULTS
About 50% of children were apparently healthy, 19.9% had oral health problems, which was considerably higher than other health problems. The general health problems were 15.20%.


CONCLUSIONS
By conducting such a study, we can know that the awareness and identification of other health problems are in urban school children is higher than the oral health problems. This recommends promoting awareness on the oral health and importance of regular dental check-up in children.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontics, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
Vinutna
V
Buddiga
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Vananchal Dental College & Hospitals, Garhwa, Jharkand, India.
V Bhalaji
VB
Gupta
Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Telangana, India.
K
K
Aravind
Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
M V Raghavendra
MV
Reddy
Reader, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
N K
NK
Ramagoni
Consultant Pedodontist, Bhat's Dental Clinic, Kumbla, Kasargod, Kerala, India.
Devasya
D
Ashwin
Gum diseases; ophthalmologist and opthomometrist; respiratory diseases