Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: AIM: The aim of this study is to document caries status and assess the oral hygiene and periodontal health of Roma children in Thessaloniki-Greece, as well as explore correlations with dental behavior and perceptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: = 135). Oral hygiene was evaluated using simplified debris index (DI-S) and simplified calculus index (CI-S), periodontal health was evaluated using the community periodontal index (CPI), and dental caries status was assessed based on ICDAS II criteria. Questionnaires assessed dental behavior and perceptions. RESULTS: Approximately 3.7% of individuals were caries-free, whereas 83.0% required restorative treatment. Calculus was found in 54.1% of subjects, and 33% presented with bleeding. A significant 51.9% have never visited a dentist and 40.7% seek dental care only in emergencies. Despite over half (51.1%) expressing dissatisfaction with their dental hygiene, 41.5% reported they rarely brush, 3% used dental floss, and 4.4% used fluoride mouthwash. Furthermore, 10.3% of the subjects reported smoking and 8.9% admitted to alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the need to enhance Roma children's oral health awareness and access to dental care. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oral Health of Roma Children in Dendropotamos, Greece: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(4):348-355.
Authors: Aristidis Arhakis, Konstantinos Arapostathis, Vasiliki Boka, Athanasia E Zarkadi, Despoina Balli, Polyxeni Athanasiadou, Panayioula Lambrou
Institution: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411500822