A Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate the General Oral Health Status and DMFT Score among Females of Rural Area, Bagh, Azad Kashmir

Abstract

Objective: When assessing and keeping tabs on the state of dental health in a region, the Decayed, Missing,
and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index is invaluable. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health status in particular
females and evaluate their DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) scores, loss of gingival attachment
and need for a prosthesis in a village in Kashmir.

Materials and Methods: Four villages in Azad Kashmir were chosen randomly using an online randomizer
to participate in this cross-sectional survey. Participants' dental health (periodontal state, prosthetic
requirements, dental caries, and dental fluorosis) were recorded using a self-structured questionnaire based
on WHO criteria (WHO, 1997). The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical data groups using SPSS
for statistical analysis.

Results: The results showed that 69.2% of the participants used toothbrushes and paste to clean their teeth.
The mean number of missing, and filled teeth and decayed, was lower in women aged 20-30 years (7.79±5.25) than in those aged 31-40 years (9.69±6.22). 70% of the female participants (middle-aged) needed
dental prostheses. 56.5 per cent of the women had a loss of attachment (LOA) between 4 and 5 mm, whereas
23.2% had an LOA between 6 and 8 mm. There was a statistically significant difference in demand for
multiunit dental prostheses between the 20–30 and 31–40 age groups.

Conclusion: As a result, rural middle-aged women have a considerable demand for dental treatment, yet they
receive a disproportionate concentration on dental health.