Dental Caries, Traumatic Dental Injuries and Gingivitis among Street-Children in Kano, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Street-children (Almajirai) constitute a significant proportion of the adolescent population in northern Nigeria. They face health challenges, especially oral health, from being inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries, dental trauma, gingivitis and oral hygiene scores in street-children.

METHODOLOGY

Three hundred and sixty-six school-aged children were selected through a multi-stage sampling of 10 to 12-year-old children from four modern and traditional qur'anic schools, and examined for oral conditions using the WHO protocol. The DMFT index, the modified Ellis criteria, the Gingival Bleeding Index and the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) were used to assess dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, gingivitis and oral hygiene scores respectively. Chi-squared tests and Odds Ratio were used to compare the difference and test the association between Almajirai groups. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). Statistical significance was considered when p < 0.05.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty eight (45.9%) traditional Almajirai and 198 (59.4%) modern-type Almajirai, participated in the study. Their mean age was 10.8(±0.8) years. The prevalence of dental caries was 25.4% with mean DMFT and SiC scores of 0.6 (±1.3) and 1.7 respectively. DMFT scores ranged from 0 to 12. The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries and gingivitis were 8.7% and 82.2% respectively, while the OHI-S score was 3.0. The odds for traumatic dental injuries were 41% less in the modern-type Almajirai (p=0.02); the modern-type Almajirai were twice as likely to develop gingivitis (aOR 95%CI =2.0, p=0.01). OHI-S scores showed poorer oral hygiene levels in the modern Almajirai (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, gingivitis and poor oral hygiene were prevalent among street-children in Kano. There is a high level of untreated dental disease in the study population.

The risk factors and pattern of traumatic dental injuries in 10-12-year olds in Kano, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) rank among the most common conditions in children and adolescents. Nigerian dental trauma data are largely based on studies that were conducted in the southern parts of Nigeria. This study was designed to identify the risk factors and the pattern of TDIs among school-age children in northern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to identify the risk factors for and to determine the pattern of dental injuries among 10-12-year-old males in Kano, northern Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six hundred and ninety-six 10-12-year olds were selected through a multistage sampling of school children, street children and rehabilitated children in Kano and examined for TDIs using the WHO protocols. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20. Statistical significance was considered when P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Six hundred and ninety-four 10-12-year olds participated in the study; The prevalence of TDIs was 6.6%. Being a street-child was associated with 30% higher risk for dental injuries (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.60 - 3.1; P = 0.48), whereas living as a rehabilitated street child (aOR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.19 - 0.88; P = 0.02) and older age were associated with a reduced risk (aOR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.39 - 1.01; P = 0.06) to injuries. The most common type of trauma was enamel-dentine injuries or Ellis II, and the most common cause was falls. Street children and low-age groups had more single-tooth injuries (85.7% and 85.0%, respectively). The commonly injured teeth were the maxillary right and left central incisors.

CONCLUSION

Living on the street and young age were associated with the likelihood for injuries in male adolescents in Kano. The maxillary central incisors were the commonly affected teeth.