Oral Health Problems in Jumla Area

Abstract

So far there have been very few oral health surveys done in Nepal. This survey was requested from Karnali Techinical School in Jumla to get a picture of the oral health status among the students at the schools as well as the people in Jumla area. Altogether 317 persons were examined.

The results show a "very low" (37% 0:8 DMFT for 12 year olds) prevalance of dental caries. It is likely that this will rise the future, due to worse food habits. The incidence of periodontal disease is, however, "high" (97.1% and an average of 3.2 sextants affected by calculus at 16-19 years of age). Prophylactic fluoride and an oral health programme to improve the oral hygiene habits are recommended to maintain the low rate of dental caries and to reduce the rate of periodontal disease.