Periodontal Status Of Jiren Secondary High School Students: A Comparative Study Between Users Of Mefakia And Tooth Brush

Abstract

Background: - oral hygiene measures have been practiced by different populations and cultures around the world since ancient time. There are different methods available for the maintenance of oral health. There is long history of the use of plant to improve dental health and promote oral hygiene and is still commonly practiced among Afro- Asia communitarians. The mechanical plaque removing properties of the chewing sticks is similar to that of conventional modern tooth brush. Mefakia/chewing stick is an affordable oral hygiene device which is used by vast majority of people around the world because of it is availability and low cost. The tooth brush which appeared about the year 1600 in china also has good mechanical plaque removing property and available currently every where in the market and widely used throughout the world. Objective: the objective of this study is to assess periodontal status of mefakia and tooth brush users among jiren secondary high school students. Methodology and materials: A cross-sectional study design will be used for this study with a sample population of 331 students who were selected by simple random sampling technique from 2400 total students of the school. Data will be collected using a structured questionnaire and oral examination will be done using probe, dental mirror and explorer by dental interns. Result:- a sample of 331 students with response rate of 89% out of 2400 students was selected using the sample size determination formula in which 161(54.8%) males and 133(45.2%) were females. The dominant ethnicity and religion was Oromo and Muslim which accounts 189 and respectively. Most of the students who brush their teeth using either chewing stick or tooth brush more than twice a day with other adjunctive or tooth paste together with vertical technique of brushing have had grade zero calculus deposition, grade zero gingival bleeding and pocket depth < 3mm. Conclusion:- This study clearly indicates that those using either chewing stick or tooth brush have almost similar periodontal status even though there were some problems regarding to both chewing stick and tooth brush on how to use, when to use and with what adjunctive to be used from what were manifested as calculus deposition, gingival bleeding and pocket depth irrespective of brushing. Recommendation:- To start with the building up of knowledge and to change their attitude towards chewing stick, also to develop habit of oral hygine practice, the possible source of knowledge and encouragement should be exploited with regard to the use of chewing stick for those who are not capable of using tooth brush. So I will recommend the Jimma health bureau to provide ways of expanding health education on how to keep good oral hygiene.