The Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department at PHCC in Doha, Qatar, under the leadership of Dr. Najat Alyafei, has completed the analysis of oral health data for the 2023-2024 academic year and has released the Asnani School Oral Health Program Report. This program has benefitted over 60,000 students in Qatar. Dr. Hamad Al Mudahka, the Executive Director of Preventative Health at PHCC, emphasized the importance of oral health as a crucial component of overall health and wellbeing for children. Annual oral health education, screenings, and preventive treatments are essential for young children in schools.
During the previous academic year, 30,214 students from 140 schools participated in the Asnani School Oral Health Program, including 3,190 students from 52 kindergartens and 27,024 students from 88 primary schools. The report revealed that tooth decay prevalence was 70% in kindergarten students and 36% in primary school students. Kindergarten children had an average of 3 out of 20 milk teeth decayed, while primary school students had up to one permanent tooth decayed. Girls in primary schools showed a higher prevalence of caries compared to boys, with no significant difference based on nationality.
Dr. Hamad expressed concern about the high prevalence of tooth decay among 3-5-year-old kindergarten students and emphasized the need for parents to monitor their children’s eating habits and oral hygiene practices. Sugary diets and poor oral hygiene can increase a child’s susceptibility to tooth decay. The caries experience among 12-year-old children is considered a global issue, and the Asnani School Oral Health Program aims to provide education and prevention to improve students’ oral health.
The data from Grade 6 students in the Asnani School Oral Health Program showed a mean DMFT of 1.6, classified as low caries severity by the World Health Organization. While this is an encouraging figure, ongoing oral health education and parental supervision are essential for students throughout primary school to reinforce proper toothbrushing habits. The program provides effective fluoride varnish treatment to prevent tooth decay and encourages parents to give their consent for annual check-ups and follow-up dental care, including preventive treatments and referrals for fillings if necessary.
The overarching mission of the Asnani School Oral Health Program is to enhance the oral health of students through education and prevention efforts. Dr. Hamad encourages parents to actively participate in the program and take advantage of the services offered to ensure their children receive regular dental check-ups and necessary treatments for optimal oral health. By promoting good oral hygiene practices early on, parents and educators can help children develop lifelong habits that contribute to their overall health and wellbeing.
