An overview of oral health status, socio-economic and behavioral risk factors, and the pattern of tooth loss in a sample of Egyptian rural population

Abstract

Abstract Background The lack of adequate data on the oral health status among the Egyptians is a challenging barrier for the assessment and improvement of oral health needs. Objectives The aim of this study was to collect data on oral health status among a sample of Egyptian rural population and to assess the possible role of the socio-demographic, socio-economic, and behavioral risk factors on the status of the present dentition (the pattern of tooth loss and edentulism). Materials and methods Data was collected from 530 patients with age ranged from 20 to 70 years using a modified World Health Organization (WHO) questionnaire. The questionnaire included information about oral health status, socio-demographic (age and sex), socio-economic (educational levels and income), and behavioral factors (smoking and oral hygiene measures). A complete intra- and extraoral examination and free dental health care services were provided by a team of qualified dental specialists from National Research Centre (NRC). Data was analyzed using chi-square and Spearman’s correlation tests, and the significance level was validated at p < 0.05. Results Females comprised 79% while males were 21% of the surveyed rural sample. Concerning socio-economic aspects including the level of education and income, it was found that 50% of the individuals completed their secondary educational levels, followed by illiterates 35.5% and preparatory levels, while college graduates were minority 4.7%. On the other hand, only 27.5% of rural had income while 72.5% of them had no income. Assessment of behavioral risk factors (oral hygiene procedures and smoking) showed that only 34.3% of the individuals claimed to brush their teeth and only a minority were male smokers (13.8%). The results demonstrated poor oral health status and increased incidence of partial edentulism (45%), where Kennedy class III was the most common type (34.6%). Conclusions Lack of oral hygiene measures specifically tooth brushing is the most significant behavioral risk factor for the poor oral health status and tooth loss in this survey. Sociodemographic and socio-economic factors are influential risk factors for tooth loss. Cigarette smoking was not a main behavioral risk factor that impacts the oral health status in the present survey