Oral Health Status and Related Factors among Adult Patients Referred to Public Health Centers (Kerman-Iran)

Background: Dental caries is a common diseases that imposes a big economic burden on individuals and the health care system. The aim of this study was to assess oral health status and its related factors in adults who referred to Kerman (Iran) health centers. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 195 patients who referred to Kerman health centers and selected by two-stage sampling method. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisted of demographic information and oral health behavior status, and assessment of DMFT index based on the criteria of the World Health Organization and dental plaque index. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 by ANOVA and t-test at a significant level of 0.05. Results: In this study, 104 (52.8%) patients were male and 93 (47.2%) were female. The mean age was 36.99 ± 10.68 years. Dental plaque index was moderate in 94 patients (47.7%). The mean DMFT index was 7.27 ± 4.88. There was a statistically significant relationship between age and self-reported oral health, and general health with DMFT index. Older people and those who described their oral health status poor had higher DMFT. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate the poor status of DMFT in the adult population of Kerman. It is recommended to hold training classes and oral health promotion programs.