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Although oral disease is a major public health problem, there is little
epidemiological research in Ethi opia, This study is designed to provide base-line
information on the major oral health problems among primary school children in Addis
Ababa,
A school-based cross-sectional study to assess the oral health status of primary
school chi ldren aged 12 years and above, was conducted in Addis Ababa, in April 2000, A
total of 1736 study subjects were chosen by multi-stage se lection procedll1'es from three
different (private, public and government) types of schools, propOltionate to their size of
student population,
The overall prevalence of dental caries was 21,1 %, with no significant variation
between the different types of schools, In this study, dental caries significantly increased
with increasing age, high consumption of sweets and in those who do not clean their teeth,
Periodontal disease affected more than half (53.4%) of the study subjects,
Periodontal disease was significantly high in males, in public school children, in those
whose consumption of sweets was high, in children having ' enjera' as staple diet and those
with poor oral hygiene,
The prevalence of malocclusion was 23,7% (22% mild and 1.7% moderate),
Crowding of teeth was seen in 413 (23,8%) of children, The prevalence of spacing of teeth
was 18.3%, More analytic studies have to be done to shed light on the determinant facto rs
of malocclusion, spacing and crowding of teeth, The prevalence of dental fluorosis was low
(l ,6%), affecting only 28 children , The knowledge and understanding of oral health and it's
prevention was high but dental service utili sation was low,
Initiation and strengthening of health education programmes 111 schools to include
information about healthy diet and practice of adequate oral hygiene are recommended,
Other recommendations are integration of oral health into primary health service and further
studies to elucidate risk factors and treatment requirements for oral diseases,
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