Abstract
Objectives: To assess the dental treatment needs among primary school boys and girls in Jubail and to develop recommendations for prevention and care of ore-dental diseases.
Methods: Three thousand three hundred and sixty eight students (1607 boys) and (1761 girls) with age range of 6-12 years were surveyed from 12 boys and girls primary schools with mobile dental units, in Jubail, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. The World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Form was used to record the data.
Results: It was found that 93% of boys and 86% of girls were in need of dental treatment. There was less of a need for dental restorations (fillings) among girls but more of a need for periodontal treatment as compared to bays. There was more need for orthodontic treatment among girls than boys. There was significant differences in treatment needs of extraction of teeth, fluoride application and fissure sealants.
Conclusions: Girls needed more periodontal care, fissure sealants, orthodontic treatment and extraction of teeth. Boys needed more restorations and fluoride applications. Over all there is a need for early organized preventive measures for both boys and girls as almost 90% of the primary school children were in need of dental treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of socio-economic status, dietary habits and family background on their dental treatment needs.