Kauser Parveen, Abdul Aziz Al Khurail.
Prevalence of dental caries among female patients attending a dental hygiene clinic, Riyadh.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;19(2):091-3.

OBJECTIVE: To determine caries prevalence and oral hygiene status among female patients visiting a dental hygiene department clinic in Riyadh. METHODOLOGY: Three hundred and twenty eight female patients (age ranging from l5 — 60 years) were examined in the dental hygiene clinics of the College of Applied Medical Sciences for dental caries and oral hygiene status. The WHO criteria was utilized for the diagnosis of dental caries with the addition of bitewing radiographs. Oral hygiene was determined by summing of average plaque scores and calculus scores and then dividing by six. All readings were confirmed by the two examiners. RESULTS: The sample was divided into three age groups; first group, aged 15 - 25 years consisted of 86 (56.7%) females, second group 26 - 45 years consisted of 90 (27.4%) females and the third group of 46 - 60 years-old had 52 (15.9%) females. Avery high mean DMFT score of 11.59 (SD 4.25) was found in the study sample. There was a significant (p<0.05) difference in mean DMFT scores and its components between various age groups. No patient had good oral hygiene in any of the three age groups. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the oral hygiene groups in terms of mean DMFT scores and all its components. CONCLUSIONS: The female patients visiting the dental hygienist clinics of the College of Applied Medical Sciences had very high caries experience, and poor oral hygiene status.

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