64% of Students in Abu Dhabi have Tooth Decay
A recent survey has revealed that 64 percent of students in Abu Dhabi suffer from dental decay.
The Ambulatory Healthcare Service tested students in grades 1,5 and 9 in public schools in Abu Dhabi, in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
In addition to oral health tests, students also underwent vision and hearing tests and their BMI was calculated.
Dr N Serah George said that oral hygiene habits were poor amongst many families, with many sharing one toothbrush between several family members, which should not be done, as the risk of passing on infections and illnesses is high and the toothbrush will wear out very quickly, making it ineffective.
Dr George also suggested that there was a widespread lack of understanding and awareness about oral health issues and she said that oral hygiene is not taught, so children develop bad habits from an early age. In an ideal world, parents should teach children how to look after their teeth and gums from a very early age and this helps to prevent oral health disease and premature tooth loss.
The data from the study will be analysed and used to create measures and initiatives to improve standards of general and oral health and enable people to access better education.
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