ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN IN TERRITORY OF SWAT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of school going children, (prevalence of carries, visible plaque and calculus). METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study and is been conducted in TIPU Shaheed School and college at kabal swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sample size was 234. Sampling method was adopted as convenient sampling. Oral examination was done with help of examination instruments in a natural day light. RESULTS: The results of this study showed, there was caries in 124 students which is 53%. Out of these 124 students 86 (37%) had a total of 1-4 teeth decay, 30 (13 %) students were notified with a total number of 5-8 teeth decay and 8 (3%) showed 12 teeth decay. Calculus was present in 105 (45%) in students either on few or multiple surfaces of the teeth .15 (6%) students had complained of bleeding gums (with brushing). Visible plaque was accumulated on the tooth surfaces among 105 (45%) of the students. CONCLUSION: From the results of the present study it is has been concluded that there is present certain common and alarming dental problems, prevailing among the student of this private school in swat. The persistence of which can have unfavorable effects on the integrity of the oral health. So, this is important to include some awareness practices on school basis regard to oral hygiene to overcome the problem. Key words: caries, calculus, plaqu