THE EVALUATION OF ORAL HEALTH STATUS BASED ON DMFT INDEX IN MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGE STUDENTS OF KOHAT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70905/bmcj.07.01.0626Keywords:
DMFT, WHO, Oral Health, QOL.Abstract
Background: The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index is a useful tool for measuring and tracking dental health in a population. keeping this in mind, the present study was initiated to investigate the oral health status and related characteristics among students studying at Medical and Dental College Kohat using the DMFT index
Objective: To assess the oral health status of medical and dentistry students in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, using the DMFT index and identify the contributing factors influencing their oral health.
Material and Methods This cross-sectional descriptive analytical study was conducted at Khyber Medical University, Institute of Medical Sciences (KMU-IMS) and Institute of Dental Sciences (KMU-IDS), Kohat, from November 2023 to November 2024, conducted on 250 students, aged 19-26 years old. Using a questionnaire, data were collected by three trained dental students. The dependent variable was the DMFT index. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 for T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions.
Results: In all, 250 persons between the ages of 19 and 26 participated in the study, 150 of them were between the ages of 19 and 22 and 100 were between the ages of 23 and 26. The mean (±SD) values of DT, MT, and FT indices in the partakers were 2.66±0.6, 1.09±1.5, and 2.5±2.4, respectively. The mean (±SD) value of total DMFT index was 6.25±2.4 in all the subjects, 5.8±2.7 in students aged 19-22 years old, and 6.7±2.1 in students aged 23-26years old.
Conclusion: A relatively high DMFT score was observed among the participants. However, owing to the cross-sectional nature of the study and the absence of direct assessment of stress and other potential confounding factors, no causal relationship can be established. The findings suggest that oral hygiene behaviors were associated with oral health status among the study population . Changing behavioural routines (such brushing, mouthwash, and tooth floss) and raising parental and individual education levels can enhance oral and dental health.
