Oral Health Status of Hospitalized Children and Parental Perception about Oral Hygiene during Hospitalization: A Cross Sectional Study

Oral Health Status during Hospitalization

Abstract

Introduction : Oral health is considered as a gateway for general health. Compromised oral health possibly will have a sizeable bearing on the general health status and quality of life. Underlying medical condition in hospitalized children might prevent the care givers to pay attention towards oral health, which can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. Hence this study was conducted to know status of oral health during hospitalization and perception of parents toward oral hygiene. Methods: An observational cross sectional study was conducted over a period of one month at in patient ward of dept of pediatrics. All the subjects were examined for oral health status and their parent’s knowledge attitude and practices were assessed through a validated questionnaire. Results:    Caries prevalence was high. 42.6 % of children had 1 or more teeth decayed, filled or extracted. The mean dmft score was 3.58 ± 1.75 and DMFT score was 1.43 ± 2.51 overall. There was a significant decrease in the plaque score from the date of admission to date of discharge. Only 42.6% of the parents of hospitalized children were aware about the oral health status of their wards.

Conclusions: It was found that the parents of hospitalized children were very much aware of importance of oral health. Hence, preventive strategies involving care givers/guardians, with timely reinforcements would help in reduction of caries experience and improvement in gingival/oral health of these individuals