Abstract:
An oral health survey was carried out among young adults in the Ga district to assess the
oral health status of young adults in and out of school and to recommend types of
treatment needed.
A stratified random sample of young adults 1 5 -3 2 years old was selected from rural and
urban Senior Secondary Schools and the communities. Questionnaires were
administered by Community Health Nurses after which oral examinations and recording
of data was carried out by the principal investigator assisted by eight final year dental
students. A calibration exercise was undertaken in order to assess the reliability of the
results obtained.
A mean DMFT of 0.63 was obtained with a caries free prevalence of 73.3%. The decayed
component accounted for most of the DMFT. The proportion of young adults with healthy
periodontal condition was low i.e. 13%. Eighty-six percent (86%) had poor oral
hygiene/calculus deposits. The tooth-brush was found to be the most common cleaning
implement.
The prevalence of mal-occlusion was low i.e. 7.8%, and the perception of badly arranged
teeth was even lower - 1.6%. Fractured anterior teeth were few - 2.7%.
This study clearly shows the Ga district as disadvantaged in terms of availability of oral
health care. It serves as a reliable basis of information on which oral health care services
may be provided in the district.
Recommendations are made for the institution of intensive oral health education and
promotion at the community level. A dental clinic is recommended for fillings, prosthesis
and other forms of secondary treatment, in the medium term.
