General and Oral Health Status of Orphans in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Dental caries is one of the most common oral health issues in Saudi Arabia. Children living in orphanages are at greater risk for medical, dental and gingival problems due to psychological problems and lack of parental supervision. There is a need to focus on the improvement of the general and oral health among the orphans. Aim: To investigate the general and oral health status of orphan children in Jeddah. Materials and Methods: The present cross‑sectional study was conducted between April 2025 and June 2025 at Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, involving 105 orphaned children. Data were collected using a self‑developed structured questionnaire and a standardised clinical examination. Oral health assessment included the detection of dental caries, performed in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dentition Status and Treatment Need criteria. All examinations were carried out by two calibrated examiners using standardised equipment and following WHO guidelines. Associations between study variables were analysed using the Chi‑square test, with a p‑value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 105 orphaned children in Jeddah were examined. The findings revealed that while most participants exhibited stable general health parameters, a notable proportion continued to present with untreated dental caries, particularly in the primary dentition. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 26 (24.8%) cases. All children had received nutrition and mental health education, reflecting strong Institutional efforts to promote general well‑being. Conclusion: Nearly one‑quarter of the orphaned children assessed were affected by dental caries, with no significant associations observed with gender, nationality, or general health status. Although the majority were medically healthy, untreated decayed teeth remained common, underscoring unmet restorative needs, especially in primary teeth. Despite universal exposure to health education, access to preventive and restorative dental services requires strengthening. In addition, behaviour-focused strategies, such as motivational interviewing, may be beneficial in improving oral health outcomes.