Awareness and Practice of Oral Hygiene in Children from Marginalized Communities
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Abstract
Background: Oral health disparities remain a major public health concern among children living in socioeconomically deprived communities, particularly in low-resource urban settings where preventive services and oral hygiene resources are limited. Objective: To assess the association between tooth-brushing frequency and dental caries prevalence among children aged 5–15 years living in marginalized urban communities of Lahore, Pakistan, and to examine the influence of selected demographic and socioeconomic factors on oral hygiene practices. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 children participating in a dental outreach program. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and standardized clinical oral examinations. Dental caries burden was assessed using the DMFT and deft indices, while oral hygiene status was further evaluated using plaque- and gingival-related measures. Associations between brushing frequency and caries outcomes were examined using chi-square testing, one-way ANOVA, and multivariable regression analysis. Results: Overall dental caries prevalence was 68.1%. Mean DMFT and deft scores were 2.64 ± 1.82 and 3.41 ± 1.97, respectively. Only 27.8% of children reported brushing twice daily, while 71.3% had never received prior dental treatment. Children who brushed twice daily had lower caries prevalence and lower mean DMFT and deft scores than those brushing less frequently. Twice-daily brushing was identified as a significant protective factor against dental caries (AOR = 0.31; p < 0.001). Higher parental education was also associated with better brushing practices and lower disease burden. Conclusion: Twice-daily tooth brushing was strongly associated with reduced dental caries burden in children from underserved communities. Community-based oral health education and improved access to preventive dental resources are needed to reduce oral health inequities in this vulnerable population.
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