Open Access Full Text Article Journal of Dental and Oral Health www.scientonline.org J Dent Oral Health Volume 1 • Issue 1 • 003 Research Article The Correlation between DMFT and OHI-S Index among 10-15 Years Old Children in Kosova Luljeta Ferizi Shabani 1 *, Agim Begzati 1 , Fatmir Dragidella 2 , Valë Hysenaj Hoxha 1 , Vlorë Hysenaj Cakolli 2 and Blerta Bruçi 1 1 Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University Dental Clinical Center of Kosovo - Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo 2 Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, University Dental Clinical Center of Kosovo - Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Abstract Introduction: The DMFT and OHI-S indexes are two of the most important quantitative factors, measuring tooth health and oral hygiene. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between DMFT and OHI-S indexes in 10-15 years old children treated at the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosova - Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. Methods: The study has been carried out during 2 years period (2013-2014) on 695 children (51.7% females and 48.3% males), ages 10-15 years from urban and rural areas, included in this cross-sectional study. Children’s oral health status was evaluated using the WHO caries diagnostic criteria for Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT), and simpliied oral hygiene index by Green- Vermilion (OHI-S). Results: The indings of our study demonstrated that children aged 10-15-year-old living in the urban areas had higher prevalence of caries than those in rural areas. The average and standard deviation of DMFT in children from urban areas was 2.8 and 2.1, respectively the average and standard deviation of DMFT was 2.4 and 1.7, for children from rural areas. OHI-S index, on the other hand, showed an average 1.4. Conclusion: Based on the result of the t-test, the correlation coeficient was r= 0.70. We have concluded that there is a strong correlation between DMFT and OHI-S index in children 10-15 years old, and they had high caries prevalence. Preventive approach and measures are recommended for children due to higher caries prevalence, related to their diet and poor oral health maintenance. Keywords: DMFT, OHI-S, 10-15 years old, Cross-sectional study Introduction Oral health is now recognized as equally important in relation to general health [1]. Healthy teeth and oral tissues and the need for oral health care are important for any section of society. Oral disorders can have a profound impact on the quality-of-life. Good oral health has real health gains, in that it can improve general health and quality- of-life and contribute to self-image and social interaction. Epidemiologic studies may be of value in assessing the prevalence of diseases, in disclosing trends in disease development, and in analyzing possible factors influencing the disease pattern [2]. Kosovo is the youngest European country, in Southeastern Europe. After the war in 1999, the population of Kosovo in 2000 was 2 million inhabitants, with 32.8% of the population aged 14 years or less [3]. The reorganization healthcare and educational institutions did not emphasize oral health promotion. Currently, Kosovo has an underdeveloped economy and rather poor educational and health systems. Basic education still does not include training in oral health. There are no concrete activities in preventive dentistry organized by Kosovo’s Ministry of Health. Some preventive activities are accomplished by the Group for Public Oral Health Promotion, established in 2000 and supported by nongovernmental organizations [4]. It has already been mentioned that dental caries is the mostly spread disease in the world. In a study carried out in Kosovo we have assessed the prevalence of dental caries in comparison with other countries. The data from this oral health assessment of children of Kosovo showed a very high caries experience in both the primary and permanent dentitions. Caries prevalence expressed via the DMFT index was very *Corresponding author: Luljeta Ferizi Shabani DDS, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University Dental Clinical Center of Kosovo Address: Rr. e Spitalit PN 10000 Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo, Tel: +381 38 500 600 ext: 2230, Email: luljetaferizi@gmail.com This article was published in the following Scient Open Access Journal: Journal of Dental and Oral Health Received May 25, 2015; Accepted May 31, 2015; Published June 12, 2015