THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND CHILDREN DENTAL CARIES KHOST AFGHANISTAN

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most common diseases around the world. Socio-economic factor significantly effects dental health particularly in children. The article aims to investigate correlation between socioeconomic status and dental caries in children in Khost province of Afghanistan. Cross-sectional research design is adopted to the study, while the data is collected through interviews from two categories of the research sample. The population of the study is divided in to two categories based on Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) measurement which carries the low- and high-level socio-economic status.  The result of the study demonstrate that the two categories of the research population have different dental carries. Parents’ education and occupation, good housing, instructions for children about oral hygiene and accessibility of heath facility are the main factors that can prevent children from dental caries. The finding of the research will help health practitioners and professionals to decrease carries incidence in children. It will assist the health administrative to make dental caries preventive plans and policies for long-term health care in the province and in general in the country.