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. 2024 May 2;4(2):mtsi.v4i2.2024.426.
doi: 10.48327/mtsi.v4i2.2024.426. eCollection 2024 Jun 30.

[Dental caries in schools in the city of N'Djamena in Chad: Epidemiological aspects and oral habits in pupils aged from 6 to 12 years]

[Article in French]
Isidore Massede  1 , Stéphane Moumbe Tamba  2
Affiliations

[Dental caries in schools in the city of N'Djamena in Chad: Epidemiological aspects and oral habits in pupils aged from 6 to 12 years]

[Article in French]
Isidore Massede et al. Med Trop Sante Int. .

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Dental caries is a global disease that can have disabling effects. In Africa, its prevalence in schools is very variable, due to the great variability of food habits and oral hygiene. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries, associated factors, and to research oral pathologies associated with that dental decay in one circumscription of the city of N'Djamena.

Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 3 schools in the 7th borough of the city of N'Djamena. A total of 360 pupils aged between 6 and 12 years were recruited between October 2021 and September 2022. Each participant underwent to an oral examination which consisted in looking carefully at the pupil's face (cheeks, lips) to note any deformities or possible facial asymmetry, and to check for any sensation of pain in any part of the face. In another hand, the oral examination aimed to look for any decay on all the teeth and determine the category and class of it. Finally, the personal data (age, sex, class, parents' occupations) of each participant and the results of his oral examination were collected into a database and analyzed.

Results: A total of 185 pupils had at least one decayed tooth, giving a prevalence rate of 51.4%. Among them, 45% had at least 2 decayed teeth. The school attended and snacking between meals were significantly associated with the presence of caries (p<0.05). Teeth 36 (lower left first molar) and 46 (lower right first molar) were the most often affected by caries (21% and 22% respectively). The mixt DMF index was 0.6 and the overall frequency of decayed teeth was 51.9%. According to Black's classification, class II caries was the most prevalent (48%), while according to Baume's classification, category II was the most prevalent (54%). The time of brushing, the material and the type of product used significantly influenced the appearance of caries (p<0.05). Participants with dental dyschromia had more tooth decay.

Conclusion: Caries was prevalent in the targeted schools and represented a real problem for pupils. Implementing an oral health policy based on preventive dentistry by raising awareness among children and their parents would contribute to the proper education of pupils.

Introduction: La carie dentaire est une affection mondiale pouvant avoir des répercutions handicapantes. En Afrique, sa prévalence en milieu scolaire est très variable, due à la grande variabilité des habitudes alimentaires et d’hygiène bucco-dentaire. Cette étude vise à évaluer la prévalence de la carie dentaire, certains facteurs associés, et rechercher les pathologies bucco-dentaires associées à cette carie dans une circonscription de la ville de N’Djamena.

Matériel et méthode: Il s’agit d’une étude transversale réalisée dans trois établissements du 7e arrondissement de la ville de N’Djamena. Au total, 360 élèves âgés de 6 à 12 ans ont été recrutés entre octobre 2021 et septembre 2022. Les données personnelles des participants (âge, sexe, classe, professions des parents) ainsi que les résultats de l’examen bucco-dentaire auquel ces derniers avaient été soumis ont été collectés, puis analysés.

Résultats: Au total, 185 élèves avaient au moins une dent cariée, soit une prévalence de 51,4 %. Parmi eux, 45 % possédaient au moins deux dents cariées. L’établissement scolaire fréquenté et le grignotage entre les repas étaient significativement associés à la présence de la carie (p<0,05). Les dents 36 (première molaire inférieure gauche) et 46 (première molaire inférieure droite) étaient majoritairement les plus attaquées par la carie (respectivement 21 % et 22 %). L’indice CAO mixte était de 0,6 et la fréquence globale des dents cariées (FGC) était égal à 51,9 %. Les moments de brossage, le matériel et les types de produits utilisés pour le brossage influençaient significativement l’apparition de la carie (p<0,05). Les participants présentant une dyschromie dentaire présentaient plus de caries dentaires.

Conclusion: La maladie carieuse était bien présente dans les écoles ciblées et constituait un réel problème pour les élèves. La mise en place d’une politique de santé bucco-dentaire basée sur l’odontologie préventive par la sensibilisation des enfants et leurs parents contribuerait à la bonne formation des élèves.

Keywords: Amtoukoui; Associated factors; Boutalbagara; Chad; Children; Dental caries; N’Djamena; Oral pathologies; Prevalence; School; Sub-Saharan Africa; Tooth; École Prospérité mon Espoir.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Évolution des élèves avec caries dentaires en fonction de l’âge Evolution of pupils with dental caries according to age
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution du nombre de dent cariée par élève Distribution of the number of decayed teeth per pupil
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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