Prevalence and Factors Associated with Dental Caries Among Children Attending Buloba C/U Primary School, Wakiso district.

Abstract

Introduction The research study identified the prevalence and factors associated with dental caries dental caries in buloba c/u primary school. Objectives The objectives of the study were; to determine the prevalence of dental caries, to determine the factors associated with dental caries in children and to determine the teeth that were most affected by dental caries. Methodology. A cross sectional study design was used in the study, the study population included children aged 6 -15years attending buloba c/u primary school, the study variables involved the dental caries, factors associated with dental caries and the type of teeth that were most affected by dental caries. The dependent variables were dental caries and the independent variables were the factors that were associated and the most affected teeth, the sample size was 188 respondents and the sampling technique used was simple random sampling, data was collected using questionnaires and observation checklists. Data was presented and analysed using SPSS, descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages. Results. it was shown that the prevalence of dental caries increases with age(39.89), and the DMFT(Diseased, Missed, Filled teeth) score also increases with age, it was also shown that an increase in consumption of sweets increases the risk of one acquiring dental caries, very few children attended dental visits and that most of the mothers were educated. It also showed that the most affected teeth by dental caries were the molars, premolars, incisors and the canines respectively. Conclusion. In general, prevalence of dental caries increase with age, occur more in males than females, increased consumption of sugary foods, not brushing the teeth more than twice a day and not visiting the dentist put one at risk of getting dental caries. Recommendations: A number of recommendations were suggested by the researcher and these included: provision of information, education and communication to the public, promoting girl child education, improving access to dental health services through outreach programmes, advocating for schools to have dentists and implementing regular dental checkups.