Relation between DMFT and Socioeconomic Status in Females Attending Taibah University Clinics

Aim: To assess the decayed, missing and filled tooth (DMFT) index of adult female patients attending dental clinics in the College of Dentistry Taibah University. And to link the socioeconomic factors that may influence the DMFT.

Study Design: A Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Conducted in Taibah University Dental Clinics, Female campus between January 2016 and May 2016.

Methodology: The sample included 110 newly registered adult female patients (>18 years) attended dental clinics for screening. Dental examination for the patient using an explorer and dental mirror was done. Decayed, missing and filled tooth (DMFT) index used by the World Health Organization for the evaluation of dental caries was used. The SPSS software was used for data analysis.

Results: Low DMFT presented in 49.0% of educated and 50.0% of not educated subjects. The highest percent of subjects with moderate-income ranging from 4000 to 5999 S.R/month have moderate DMFT (58.8%). The highest percent (47.4%-61.5%) of the other groups have low DMFT. Statistically, the difference is not significant.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that DMFT is independent of socioeconomic status.