1. The Oral Health Status and Knowledge of the Elementary Students of AIM Christian Learning Center, Sampaloc, Manila
SEMINAR 40
Bautista, Kamille Joanna B.
Pobre, Christine M.
March 10, 2010

2. The Problem and its Background
Introduction
The study aimed to determine the oral health knowledge and status of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center located at Sampaloc, Manila and propose an oral health program appropriate for the school. This is in accordance with the communication between the school principal and the proponents regarding developing an oral health program to be integrated in the school’s curriculum. Seventy-five elementary students (11 from grade I, 15 from grade II, 16 from grade III, 8 from grade IV, 12 from grade V and 13 from grade VI) were asked to participate in the study.

3. Fig. 1 Procedural Framework
Conceptual Framework
Fig. 1 Procedural Framework

4. Statement of the Problem
What is the oral health status and knowledge of the elementary students in AIM Christian Learning Center, Sampaloc, Manila?

5. Objectives General Objective
To determine the oral health status and knowledge of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center.

6. Objectives Specific Objectives
1. To determine the dental caries prevalence of the elementary students of AIM Learning Center.
2. To test the oral health knowledge of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center.
3. To know the oral health practice of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center.
4. To assess the oral health needs/treatment of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center.

7. Scope and Delimitation
The study involved the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center, from Grades I to VI.
It aimed to determine the oral health status of the participants by the use of dmft/DMFT indices and OHI-scores. Oral health knowledge of the participants was assessed through oral health knowledge tests. Oral health practices were determined through one-to-one interview.

8. Definition of Terms
Oral Health Knowledge – refers to knowledge gained through oral health education measured based on results of a test. A student is said to be knowledgeable if he/she passed the knowledge test on oral health, gaining a score of 75% and above.
Oral Health Practice – refers to the daily toothbrushing and having personal tooth cleaning device.
Oral Health Status – DMFT/dmft Index, caries prevalence rate, OHI-S scores

9. Definition of Terms dmft:
a. decayed – deciduous tooth with untreated caries
b. missing – deciduous tooth lost because of caries
c. filled – deciduous tooth filled with temporary or permanent restoration
DMFT:
a. Decayed – permanent tooth with untreated caries
b. Missing – permanent tooth lost because of caries
c. Filled – permanent tooth filled with temporary or permanent restoration

10. Review of Related Literature
According to the 1992 National Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey of the Philippines (NMEDS)
-- dental caries prevalence among Filipinos is 98%
-- among deciduous teeth, 94.9% has caries
-- at the age of 12, 5 permanent teeth become decayed and 1 tooth is extracted due to caries.
-- the prevalence of dental caries on permanent teeth remained above 90% throughout the years.

11. Review of Related Literature
In 1998, NMEDS revealed that
% of temporary teeth and above 90% of permanent teeth have caries.
-- the average DMFT of Filipinos age 12 is 4.56, comprising of 4.16 decayed, missing, and 0.06 filled teeth.
In 2006, a WHO survey revealed that 97.1% among 6 years old suffer from dental caries.

12. Materials and Methods Type of Research Used
A descriptive type of study design was used to determine the oral health status and knowledge of the elementary students enrolled at AIM Christian Learning Center S.Y

13. Participants
Seventy-five elementary students who were currently enrolled in AIM-CLC this school year ( ) were asked to participate in the study. However, only 66 students were able to take the knowledge test and only 70 students during the oral examination. The other students were not able to participate in the study due to absence.

14. Participants
The parents, teachers, and staff of the school administration were informed of all the details of the study. The child’s inclusion in the study was based on the parent’s/guardian’s consent, as well as the assent of the patient.

15. The following were the inclusion criteria:
Must be enrolled in the school S.Y
Must have informed consent duly signed by the parent/guardian.
Must have patient’s assent.
* Failure to meet the following criteria meant exclusion from the study.

16. The Participants
Fig. 2 Grade I - Grade VI students

17. Materials Used in the Research
Questionnaires regarding topics on basic oral anatomy, dental caries, good and bad food, role of the dentist and oral hygiene instruction/practice were given to the students to test their oral health awareness and knowledge. One-to-one interview was also conducted regarding oral hygiene practices at home and their perception of dentists. Results of the oral examination, interview and questionnaires were recorded and analyzed to determine the oral health needs and treatment of the students.

18. Materials Used in the Research
Personnel and Facilities:
researchers/clinicians
AIM Christian Learning Center classrooms
AIM Christian Learning Center elementary teachers
basic dental instruments
sterilizing/disinfecting materials
computers/printers/photocopying machines

19. Oral Examination Instruments
Fig. 3 basin, mouth mirrors, blunted probes

20. Fig. 4 Procedural Framework/Plan of Investigation
Methodology
Fig. 4 Procedural Framework/Plan of Investigation

21. Fig. 5 Conduction of Knowledge Test

22. Oral Examination
Fig. 6 Oral Examination

23. Data Management
Descriptive statistics including the mean measurements of dmft/DMFT indices and oral health test results were presented in tabular form.
OHI-scores and results of one-to-one interview were stated.

24. Grade Level Passed Failed Grade Level Mean dmft Mean DMFT
Grade I
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV
Grade V
Grade VI
Total
Table 1 Oral health knowledge test results of Grade I – Grade VI
Grade Level
Mean dmft
Mean DMFT
Grade I
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV
Grade V
Grade VI
Mean dmft/DMFT
Table 2 Mean dmft/DMFT scores of Grade I – Grade VI

25. Fig. 7 Oral health knowledge test results of Grade I – Grade VI

26. Fig. 8 Oral health knowledge test results of Grade I – Grade II
Fig. 9 Oral health knowledge test results of Grade IV – Grade VI

27. Results
Of all the participants who took the oral health knowledge test, 62.12% passed; the passing rate was based on the school’s grading system which is 75%.

28. # of students With dmft/DMFT
Grade Level
# of Students Examined
# of students With dmft/DMFT
Caries Prevalence
Grade I 7
7/7
100%
Grade II 15
15/15
Grade III 16
15/16
93.75%
Grade IV 8
8/8
Grade V 12
8/12
66.67%
Grade VI
11/12
91.67%
Table 3 Caries prevalence of Grade I – Grade VI

29. Fig. 10 Caries prevalence of Grade I – Grade VI

30. Table. 4 mean dmft scores of Grade I – Grade VI
Grade Level
Deciduous Teeth
Decayed
Missing
Filled
Mean dmft
Grade I
45/7 = 6.43
15/5 = 3
9.43
Grade II
42/12 = 3.5
16/9 = 1.78
6/2 = 3
7.28
Grade III
50/15 = 3.33
14/7 = 2
1/1 = 1
6.33
Grade IV
9/3 = 3
3/3 = 1 4
Grade V
4/2 = 2 5
Grade VI
4/2v= 2 3
Total
5.84
Table. 4 mean dmft scores of Grade I – Grade VI

31. Table. 5 mean DMFT scores of Grade I – Grade VI
Grade Level
Permanent Teeth
Decayed
Missing
Filled
Mean dmft
Grade I
3/2 = 1.5
1.5
Grade II
34/12 = 2.83
3/3 = 1
3.83
Grade III
19/11 = 1.73
2/2 = 1
6/3 = 2
4.73
Grade IV
15/7 = 2.14
1/1 = 1
3.14
Grade V
25/8 = 3.125
4/2 = 2
5.125
Grade VI
34/8 = 4.25
10/6 = 1.67
7.92
Total
4.37
Table. 5 mean DMFT scores of Grade I – Grade VI

32. Fig. 7 mean dmft/DMFT scores of Grade I – Grade VI

33. Results
Results of the oral examination showed that the mean dmft or the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth of the deciduous teeth were higher (45.84) than the DMFT or the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth of the permanent teeth (4.37) combined for all grade levels. This may be because of the fact that the deciduous teeth were longer present in the oral cavity as compared with the permanent teeth.

34. Summary of Findings
The oral health status of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center showed lower mean DMFT scores (4.37) and higher mean dmft scores (5.84) compared with NMEDS standard (4.56 mean DMFT for 12 y/o) based on their mean dmft/DMFT values.

35. Summary of Findings
All grade levels showed OHI scores ranging 0.17 – 1. 51, which was considered by the proponents as falling into the “good” oral hygiene practice.

36. Summary of Findings
Of all the participants, 100% claimed to use toothbrush with toothpaste as tooth cleaners % of them claimed that they use other tooth cleaners aside from toothbrushes such as floss, mouthwash and orthobrush. One claimed that she doesn’t have her own toothbrush, she shares with her sibling. 2 of the students from Grade 2 (2.86%) brought their toothbrushes in school. Majority of the students brush their teeth twice a day during morning and evening.

37. Summary of Findings
Majority of the participants need restoration or extraction of decayed teeth.

38. Conclusion
The oral health status of the elementary students of AIM Christian Learning Center showed mean DMFT score (4.37) and mean dmft scores (5.84).
Sixty-two percent (62%) of the participants are knowledgeable on oral health.

39. Recommendations
For this particular study, the proponents recommend Essential Health Care Package (Fit for School program) be implemented in AIM Christian Learning Center. It is also recommended that training workshops be given for school teachers to update their oral health knowledge and to familiarize them with resources provided for more effective oral health programs.

40. Recommendations
For further studies, it is recommended that short term and long term evaluation of the oral health program be conducted after it has been implemented for improvement and gauge effectiveness of the program.

41. THANK YOU and GOOD DAY!