The oral health situation and treatment need of schoolchildren Afghanistan: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • M Lambert ELOHA (Equal Lifelong Oral Health for All) research group, Dental Public Health, Oral Health Sciences, Ghent University
  • M Rezaie ELOHA (Equal Lifelong Oral Health for All) research group, Dental Public Health, Oral Health Sciences, Ghent University
  • M Jeannin ELOHA (Equal Lifelong Oral Health for All) research group, Dental Public Health, Oral Health Sciences, Ghent University
  • N Sina University of Herat, Faculty of Stomatology, Herat
  • Z Mahyar University of Herat, Faculty of Stomatology, Herat
  • L Marks Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium - Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery - Special Care in Dentistry, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2024.1902

Keywords:

dental caries (MeSH), Afghanistan (MeSH), Dental care for children (MeSH), global south, dental workforce

Abstract

AIM: The present study explores the treatment need for dental caries in schoolchildren in Herat, Afghanistan. METHODS: A convenience sample of 13 schools were selected for the study. All schools were located in the urban areas near Herat and were selected through allocation by the Ministry of Health, which also approved the study protocol. In the schools, classes were allocated by the principal of the school. All the children in the allocated classes were included in the survey. Data collection was performed in the school setting by trained Afghan dentist examiners. To measure caries experience, DMFT/dmft scores were used, counting the number of decayed (measured at both white spot (D≥1) and cavitation level (D≥3), according to WHO criteria), missing and filled teeth. CONCLUSION: Dental caries is a considerable oral health problem in the study population. The present sample has a high proportion of untreated carious lesions and a very low level of restorative care. Moreover, significant differences were shown in relation to gender and age groups. The present survey results confirm the need for professional operative and preventive oral health care in this region.