Introduction: Oral health symbolises the general health and quality of life of an individual. The socioeconomic status of the parents shows direct impact on oral health status of children. Thus, it can be hypothesised that the pattern of oral diseases would be different among children living with parents and orphans.
Aim: To explore periodontal and dentition status among orphans and children with parents in Mysore city, India.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among six to 15-year-old children residing in eight orphanages. Equal number of age and gender matched children living with parents were selected from government schools (non orphans) located in the same geographical areas for comparison. Clinical examination was conducted by a single trained, calibrated examiner and oral findings were recorded according to World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria 2013. The data collected was analysed using Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test.
Results: A total of 957 children (478 from orphanages and 479 from government schools) were examined in the study. The mean defs and DMFS were significantly higher among government school children (non orphans) (defs: 3.20±4.0; DMFS: 2.43±2.8) compared to children from orphanages (defs: 2.72±4.4; DMFS: 1.72±2.3). Prevalence of gingival bleeding among orphans (79.49%) was higher compared to non orphans (71.4%).
Conclusion: The present study concluded that prevalence of caries was lower among orphans but periodontal status was poor among them as compared to non orphans.
Keywords: DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth); Gingival bleeding; Oral health status.