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Poor oral hygiene knowledge among UAE children: Survey

DUBAI — Knowledge of oral hygiene remains low among children in the UAE with 83 per cent of five-year-old students suffering from dental caries (decay), according to the first National Oral Health Survey held by the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2002.

“A new survey among children, as well as adults in their late 20s and mid 30s is also being planned by the MoH, but no dateline has been fixed yet,” said Dr Ibrahim Abdullah bin Arab, director of Dental Department at the MoH. He was speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday.

Citing the reasons for the high prevalence of dental decay, Dr Arab said, “As elsewhere in the world, the UAE faces a poor oral health record due to increasing consumption of sugar and junk food. Oral health statistics in the UAE suggest that 70-80 per cent of the population suffers from dental cavities. We must take action to inform our children about the advantages of long-term oral health, because the consequences of neglect are dire.”

According to the 2002 survey, a total of 3,991 children were examined, including 1,340 five-year-olds, 1,323 (12-year-olds) and 1,328 (15-year-olds). “This represents around five per cent of children in these age groups in the UAE,” noted Dr Arab, while talking to the Press during the launch of the Colgate-Palmolive “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” Marquee at Dubai’s World Trade Centre.

The survey said that the prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition in 5-year-olds was 83 per cent with 52 per cent having four or more teeth with dental caries. The prevalence of dental caries in the permanent teeth of 12-year-olds for all of the UAE was 54 per cent while the prevalence of caries in 15-year-olds was 65 per cent. Overall in the UAE, 37 per cent of 15-year-olds had healthy periodontal tissues, 15 per cent had bleeding gums and 39 per cent had dental calculus (tartar or scale).

“In conclusion, the survey showed that dental decay was very prevalent in the primary dentition of five-year-olds. Prevalence was moderate in the permanent teeth of 12 and 15 year-olds. A high proportion of the decayed teeth were left untreated. Dental decay is a preventable disease and the role of preventive programmes should be considered,” explained Dr Arab.

He also said that the emirates of Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman and Umm Al Quwwain were most cooperative in seeking out more help from MoH. “The child has to be educated from the age of four so as to inculcate oral dental health in him/her in early life,” he added.

Meanwhile, 500 children were guided through proper oral health techniques in line with the successful Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) campaign which has been in progress in the UAE since 2006 through private clinics.

“Colgate-Palmolive aims to establish partnerships with key dental health officials and ministries in the UAE,” commented Richard Mener, president, Africa-Middle East, Colgate-Palmolive.

At the FDI Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Marquee, children participated in educational activities promoting oral healthcare in a fun way. Trained dental students demonstrated the benefits of good oral hygiene by taking the children through three different stations, including a brushing station, a video theatre and an art/drawing activities station. At the end, all the children received Colgate dental health care packs.