Caries Experience among Tribal Gypsies in Thoothukudi District - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Dental caries, or tooth decay, is an infectious process involving breakdown of the tooth enamel. Caries form through a complex interaction between cariogenic acid-producing bacteria in combination with fermentable carbohydrates and other dietary, genetic, behavioural, social, and cultural factors. Poor oral hygiene and low dental service levels were found in marginalised areas. The study aimed to assess the caries experience of Narikuravars in Thoothukudi district. A cross-sectional study was done among gipsies in Thoothukudi district. Oral health examination was done the gipsies in the above three taluks in which they were present. All the study participants were examined under adequate illumination, and clinical data were collected on dental caries as described by the World Health Organization (WHO). DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth) was used to assess the caries experience. For statistical analysis, t-test and ANOVA was used. The total size of the screened population was 164. There were 128 adults and 36 children who are below 18 years of age. Mean Decayed teeth, mean Missed teeth and mean Filled teeth was found to be 3.38 ± 1.730, 1.01 ± 2.109, 0.01 ± 0.088 respectively. Decayed teeth were most common in the study population. Mean DMFT score among the adult study population was found to be 4.40 ± 2.603. The difference between the different age groups to Mean DMFT and was found to be statistically significant   (F value- 22.679; p < 0.05). The present study concluded that the experience of dental caries was low in the study population. It was more prevalent in males as compared to the female population.