Prevalence of dental caries among children attending public versus private schools: A cross-sectional comparative analysis

TL;DR

This study compares dental caries prevalence in children from public and private schools, finding higher rates in public school children due to socioeconomic factors.

Contribution

The study provides evidence of oral health disparities linked to school type and socioeconomic status in children.

Findings

Children in public schools had significantly higher dental caries prevalence compared to those in private schools.

Socioeconomic factors were shown to strongly influence oral health outcomes in schoolchildren.

Abstract

Dental caries represents a major global public health challenge, particularly among children in low-socioeconomic settings, where poor
oral hygiene, high sugar intake, and limited access to dental care exacerbate prevalence and severity, leading to pain, infection, and long-
term oral health disparities. Hence, a cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 812 schoolchildren aged 8-10 years, selected via
a multistage random sampling method from public (n=405) and private (n=407) schools. Data were collected through a clinical oral examination
using the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 criteria to determine the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index for both primary (DMFT) and
permanent (DMFT) dentition. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather information on oral hygiene practices and dietary habits. A significant
disparity in dental caries prevalence and experience exists between children attending public and private schools, with the burden being
substantially higher in the public school population. Thus, we show the influence of socioeconomic factors on children's oral health and
highlight the urgent need for targeted, school-based public health interventions in underprivileged communities.