Table 2.
Association of various sociodemographic and personal characteristics with dental caries
| Parameter | Caries (%) | Caries free (%) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | |||
| Boys | 32.8 | 67.2 | 0.001* |
| Girls | 39.9 | 60.1 | |
| School type | |||
| Government | 36.6 | 63.4 | 0.639 |
| Private | 34.9 | 65.1 | |
| Socioeconomic status | |||
| Lower | 38.8 | 61.2 | 0.004* |
| Middle | 34 | 66 | |
| Upper | 43.4 | 56.6 | |
| Family structure | |||
| Joint | 41.0 | 59 | 0.004* |
| Nuclear | 34.6 | 65.4 | |
| Birth order | |||
| First | 24.8 | 75.2 | 0.001* |
| Second | 46.5 | 53.5 | |
| Third or more | 40.3 | 59.7 | |
| Diet pattern | |||
| Vegetarian | 39.4 | 60.6 | 0.168 |
| Mixed | 35.9 | 64.1 | |
| Oral hygiene aids | |||
| None | 69.2 | 58.5 | 0.001* |
| Used | 29.7 | 70.3 | |
| Mode of cleaning teeth | |||
| Toothbrush and toothpaste | 36.5 | 63.5 | 0.118 |
| Toothbrush and toothpowder | 14.3 | 85.7 | |
| Last dental visit | |||
| Never visited | 36.9 | 63.1 | 0.046* |
| 1-3 months before | 44.4 | 55.6 | |
| 4-6 months before | 30.6 | 69.4 | |
| >6 months back | 33.1 | 66.9 | |
| Pattern of dental attendance | |||
| Never visited | 36.6 | 63.4 | 0.096 |
| Checkup mainly | 34.3 | 65.7 | |
| When in trouble/pain | 36.1 | 63.9 | |
| Sugar consumption | |||
| Not at all | 36.9 | 63.1 | 0.002* |
| Once | 44.4 | 55.6 | |
| Twice | 30.6 | 69.4 | |
| More than twice | 33.1 | 66.9 |
*P significant at P<0.05