GINGIVAL HEALTH AND ORAL HYGIENE STATUS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDING AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABBOTTABAD

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the state of oral hygiene and gum health as well as to establish the relationship between oral hygiene and gingivitis in preschool children.

Methods: This study was held in the Dental section of Ayub Teaching hospital, Abbottabad for one-year duration from August 2019 to August 2020. In total, 60 preschool children, 36 men and 24 girls, with a mean age of 4.4 (SD 1.0) years, were examined.

Results: About every tenth child (11.7%) had poor oral hygiene. There was no significant (p>. 05) t difference between male and female children in terms of oral hygiene. About two-thirds (61.7%) of the children had gingivitis. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) in the gingival condition of male and female children.

Conclusion: There was a significant (p <0.05) association between poor oral hygiene and gingivitis. It was found that a significant number of children had poor oral hygiene and most of them had gingivitis. There is a link between poor oral hygiene and gingivitis.

Keywords: oral hygiene, gingivitis, preschool children, gum health.