Oral hygiene status in school adolescents: a study of 20,000 school-age adolescents in 66 public and private schools comparing oral hygiene status by gender and ethnicity.

AIMS To compare and contrast oral health related data related to Simplified Oral hygiene index (OHI-S) in Dubai school-aged students as a function of the population demographics gender and ethnicity. METHODS A total of 20,880 subjects were screened in 66 public and private school located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The study sample was grouped according to seven geographic regions. The total sample included 9,765 females and 11,115 males. Ages ranged from 9.08 years to 24.4 years with an overall mean age of 14.5 years. Calibrated dentists scored all subjects for Debri, Calculus and Simplified Oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Upon completion, statistical comparison of the study variables by region and gender was applied. RESULTS Debri, calculus and OHI-S scores were calculated by Middle East and South Asia regions represented by countries with more than 100 subjects per country. OHI-S and debri scores were significantly higher in Middle East (0.90 and 0.78) subjects than South Asia (0.84 and 0.68, p=0.000). In contrast, Calculus score was higher in South Asia subjects compared to Middle East. CONCLUSIONS • Middle East subjects averaged significantly higher debri and OHI-S scores when compared to South Asia subjects overall. • The highest debri score average was found in Middle East male (Egypt) and female (Palestine) subjects. • The highest calculus score average was found in South Asia male and female (both Bangladesh) subjects. • The highest OHI-S score average was found in South Asia male (Bangladesh) and female (Pakistan) subjects. Debri and OHI-S scores were lowest for Middle East female Iran subjects.