Tribune News Network
Doha
As the netw school academic year commenced in September, PHCC’s Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department, led by Dr Najat Alyafei, successfully completed the analysis of oral health data for the previous academic year 2023-2024 and released the Asnani School Oral Health Programme Report.
Executive Director of Preventative Health at PHCC Dr Hamad Al Mudahka said that oral health is a crucial component of every child’s overall health and well-being. He stressed the importance of annual oral health education, oral screenings, and preventive treatment for young children in schools.
Dr Alyafei mentioned that during the academic year 2023-2024, a total 30,214 students from 140 schools participated in the Asnani School Oral Health Programme. They included 3,190 students from 52 kindergartens and 27,024 students from 88 primary schools.
The report shows that the prevalence of tooth decay was 70 percent in kindergarten students (milk teeth) and 36 percent in primary school students (permanent teeth). Similar to the results of the previous year, on average, a kindergarten child had almost three out of 20 milk teeth decayed, while primary school students had up to one permanent tooth decayed. Girls in primary schools also showed a higher prevalence of caries than boys. No significant difference was observed with respect to caries experience and nationality.
Dr Hamad, concerned about the high prevalence of tooth decay among 3–5-year-old kindergarten students, stated that parents should not overlook their children’s eating and oral hygiene practices.
Sugary diets and neglected oral hygiene are factors that contribute to an increased susceptibility to tooth decay. Caries experience among 12-year-old children is considered a global benchmark, and the World Health Organization uses this age group as an index for international comparison.
The Asnani School Oral Health Programme data for Grade 6 students (representing 12-year-old children) reflects a mean DMFT of 1.6, which is classified as low caries severity (WHO). Although this figure is encouraging, students throughout primary school need effective reinforcement of oral health education and parental supervision of tooth brushing until they reach an age where they can understand and perform proper daily tooth brushing.
The mission of the Asnani School Oral Health Programme is to improve students’ oral health through education and prevention. To prevent tooth decay, evidence-based, highly effective fluoride varnish treatment is provided to students in the Asnani programme. Dr Hamad encouraged parents to give their positive consent annually and take advantage of the programme so that students can receive follow-up dental checks every year, preventive treatment, and referrals for other treatments like fillings, if needed, paving the way for healthier oral health.
The Asnani School Oral Health Programme aims to improve the oral health of kindergarten and primary school students. The programme welcomes kindergarten students at designated health centres equipped with dedicated oral health rooms and clinics, where they receive guidance, undergo examinations, and receive preventive treatments such as fluoride application to reduce tooth decay.
On the other hand, multiple teams from the Asnani School Oral Health Programme visit primary school students at their schools across Qatar, following a schedule coordinated by the Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department. The programme’s dental team provides oral health guidance, conducts oral examinations, and offers preventive treatments. Kindergarten and primary school students whose parents have consented to screening receive a report with information about their oral health status and any required dental treatments, if necessary.
Dr Hamad encouraged parents to provide consent for their children to join the programme, enabling them to undergo annual check-ups, receive preventive treatments, and get referrals for additional treatments if needed, thereby contributing to a strong foundation for good oral health.