Clinical consequences of untreated dental caries evaluated using PUFA index in orphanage children from India.

BACKGROUND To determine the prevalence and severity of oral condition related to untreated dental caries with PUFA index and to relate period of institutional stay, oral hygiene practice and diet of orphan children to caries experience ratio. MATERIALS & METHODS A cross sectional survey conducted among 488 children of 12-14 years living in 5 different orphanages of Mysore district, India. Data regarding oral hygiene practices and oral health status (PUFA, DMFT, OH I-S and GI) were collected through structured questionnaire and by type III clinical oral examinations. The collected data were processed statistically. RESULTS The PUFA ratio indicates 21% of decayed component had progressed to pulp involvement and abscess formation. The overall prevalence of PUFA was 37.7%. 31.1% children showed one or more pulpally involved tooth in their oral cavity. Correlation between periods for being the child in the institute to DMFT showed negative value indicting decrease in DMFT as the duration of stay in orphanage increases. CONCLUSION The result show oral health condition in orphan children was neglected. Children from this disadvantaged background have shown a high prevalence of dental caries with low dental care utilization. PUFA index is an effective index in evaluating clinical consequences of un-treated caries. How to cite this article: Shanbhog R, Godhi BS, Nandlal B, Kumar SS, Raju V, Rashmi S. Clinical consequences of untreated dental caries evaluated using PUFA index in orphanage children from India. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(5):1-9.