Self-Reported Oral Health Status And Associated Factors Among Adolescents

This transverse study aimed at finding the determinants impacting self-reported oral health status among children attending Islamic boarding schools in Pakistan. Federation University Australia (HREC) and University of Punjab, Pakistan (IRB) approved the ethics. Sampling was conducted at four Islamic boarding schools in Lahore (May-June 2024). The children (12-17 years) able to read and write in Urdu were asked to respond to a questionnaire about their oral health and other factors. Frequency distribution, mean-standard deviation, and linear regression were used to analyse the data. A total of 534 adolescents participated in the study with a cumulative oral health status score of 13.44 ± 4.64. Among them, 299 (58.1%) had bleeding gums, 236 (55.1%) had toothache in recent past, 168 (33.7%) had substandard gums health, and 188 (38.3%) reported having poor or average teeth health. Higher age group [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.22 (95% Confidence Intervals 0.25–2.20)], visiting dentist in the last 12 months [-2.88 (-3.83– -1.94)], having fluoride in toothpaste [1.64 (0.59–2.69)], and regularly consuming fresh fruits [1.12 (0.25 – 1.99)] were strongly associated with the oral health status of the children. A significant number of children didn’t have the optimum level of oral health, and it can become a burgeoning crisis if neglected by health authorities. Health promotion campaigns at school level are needed to educate children at an early age about the importance of oral health.