Effect of khat chewing on periodontal pathogens in subgingival biofilm from chronic periodontitis patients

Abstract

Data on the oral health status and treatment needs among Yemeni children are lacking. Objectives: To assess caries prevalence, treatment needs and gingival health status among school children in Sana�a City and to examine how these are affected by age, gender and khat chewing. Methods: 1489 children (6- to 14-year old) were randomly selected from 27 schools representing all nine districts of Sana�a City. Dental caries and treatment needs were evaluated using standard WHO oral survey methods. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI) and the gingival index (GI), recorded at the six Ramfjord�s teeth, were used to assess gingival health status. Results: 4.1% of the study subjects were caries-free. Prevalence of these was significantly higher among the males. Overall, mean dmfs, dmft, DMFS and DMFT scores were 8.45, 4.16, 3.59 and 2.25 respectively. The decayed component accounted for >85% of the scores. The highest dmfs/dmft means were found among the 6-8?years age group, while the highest DMFS/DMFT means were scored by the 12-14?years age group. The need for restorative treatment and extractions was high; the former was significantly higher among the females. All subjects had gingivitis; the mean PI, CI and GI were 1.25, 0.3 and 1.36 respectively. Khat chewing did not affect caries experience; however, it was significantly associated with higher PI, CI and GI scores. Conclusions: The prevalence of caries, gingivitis and treatment needs among children in Sana�a city is high. More surveys in other Yemeni cities to generate comprehensive data are required.