Distributive Patterns and Predictive Factors of Dental Caries in a Rural Local Council in Enugu State, Nigeria

Dental caries is the most prevalent oral disease of childhood; however, the much needed attention
has not been given to dental caries as an emerging public health challenge and to the critical analysis
of the associated risk factors with huge clinical and public health implications among the rural Nigerian
children. Thus, this study was set out to determine the prevalence, describe the distributive patterns,
and ascertain the risk factors associated with dental caries in secondary school children residing in
the rural communities of Awgu North Local Government Area, Enugu, Nigeria. The study is a
quantitative type, with descriptive cross-sectional design. A stratified random sampling technique was
used to select 301 students who were 11-16years of age. The survey instrument is a semi-structured
pre-tested questionnaire, which was interviewer administered to all the respondents by trained
research assistants. Two calibrated examiners examined the participants. Diagnosis of caries was
based on the guidelines laid down by the World Health Organization. Oral health education was given
post survey and toothpaste tubes were freely distributed to all the participants in form of incentives.
Analysis of data was done using EPI-INFO version 3.3.2 and PEPI version 11.0. The findings show
that one hundred respondents are males (33.2%) and 201 females (66.8%), with 35.5% having dental
caries. Mean Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) was 0.85 ± 1.50. Girls had significantly
higher Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) than boys at ages 12 and 16 years (P = 0.027 and
P<0.0001 respectively). Students who used fluoridated toothpaste were found to have less caries.
Boys who cleaned their teeth with chewing sticks as is commonly seen in poor resources countries
had more caries than boys who used toothbrush and paste. Decayed component accounted for 53
(49.5%) of the dental caries while only 3 (2.8%) of the caries were filled. Although the prevalence of
caries observed in this study was low, the level is still higher than the prevalence rates reported in the
urban areas of Enugu State, Nigeria, supporting the fact that prevalence of carries just like many other
diseases varies greatly between and within countries and regions, within different population groups,
as well as between urban and rural areas. The findings as reported in this study would serve as prerequisite
for future studies and could also serve as guide for the planning of rural community oriented
oral health program and policy on childhood oral and dental health.