1. Oral Health in the context of Adolescent health
Isaac Okullo BDS, ADHSM, MPH, PhD

2. Oral Health
It is a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing
WHO

3. Worldwide, 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities.
Dental cavities can be prevented by maintaining a constant low level of fluoride in the oral cavity.
Severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 15–20% of middle-aged (35-44 years) adults.
Globally, about 30% of people aged 65–74 have no natural teeth.
Oral disease in children and adults is higher among poor and disadvantaged population groups.
Risk factors for oral diseases include an unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use and poor oral hygiene, and social determinants.

4. most common oral diseases
Dental cavities 80%
Periodontal (gum) disease 29%
Oral cancer
Oral infectious diseases
Trauma from injuries
Hereditary lesions

5. Adolescent Oral Health
youths between the ages of 10 to 18.

6. The adolescent patients are peculiar for various reasons

7. High caries potential Immature permanent tooth enamel
Total increase in susceptible tooth surfaces
Environmental factors such as diet
Health seeking behaviour
Low priority for oral hygiene
Social factors

8. Risk for traumatic injury and periodontal conditions increase
most common injuries to permanent teeth occur secondary to falls, followed by traffic accidents, violence, and sports
psychodynamic factors

9. Tendency for poor nutritional habits
Consumption of high quantities of refined carbohydrates and acid-containing beverages

10. Genetic conditions
Significant esthetic, functional, physiologic, or emotional dys-function are potential difficulties for the adolescent
Complex treatment e.g orthodontics

11. Behaviour Behavioral considerations include anxiety and phobia
Intraoral and perioral mutilations

12. Use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
Significant oral, dental, and systemic health consequences and death are associated with all current forms of tobacco use

13. Evidence
Study by IO
Looking at adolescents in Kampala and Lira aged 13 to 19 years
80% of the students had DMFT >0; 85% and 76% in Kampala and Lira respectively
Mean DMFT scores were 2.4 in Kampala and 3.3 in Lira
Sugar consumption was higher in females and in students of highly educated parents

14. Study by MB
Among secondary school students aged 12–25 years (mean 17 years) in central and western Uganda
28.8% showed clinical features of EOP
2.3% generalized EOP, 4.2% localized EOP, and 154 (22.3%) incidental EOP
Males more affected than females (33.8% vs. 22.2%
EOP prevalence tended to increase with increasing age; no association found between EOP prevalence and socioeconomic status
Molars and mandibular incisors generally demonstrated the highest occurrence of ≥ 4 mm attachment loss