Dental Neglect among Children And Their Parents In District Panchkula

Abstract

AIM- To evaluate the relationship between dental neglect, dental caries and socio-economic status in 3 to 15 years old children.

INTRODUCTION- Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases treatment of which is being highly neglected especially in children. Dental Neglect (DN) is persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, likely to result in serious impairment of the child’s general health and development. Dental Neglect scale appears to be an appropriate method for objectifying dental neglect. 

MATERIALS AND METHOD- The sample consisted of fifty parent children dyads, parents were asked to fill the questionnaires assessing their dental neglect and socio-economic status. Caries were assessed using the WHO criteria (2013).

RESULTS- Study showed that a greater dental neglect score (21.16) was reported among children belonging to low socio-economic status. A higher DMFT (2.08) and DMFS (3.0) scores were found to be significantly associated with higher DN.