Teeth Problem in Primary School Children: It's Relation to School Absenteeism and Academic Achievement

Hassan Tawfik, Elham; Abd Elmoniem Syan, Shadia; Ahmed Mahmoud, Samar; Shawky Elashry, Rasha

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2021.177491

Teeth Problem in Primary School Children: It's Relation to School Absenteeism and Academic Achievement

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Associate Professor - Community Based Nursing- Faculty of Nursing- The British University in Egypt (BUE) and Assistant professor, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt

² Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University

³ Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Aswan University, Egypt. Currently, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Albaha University, KSA

⁴ Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University

10.21608/ejhc.2021.177491

Abstract

Teeth problems affect primary school children physically and psychologically and it harms their
general health, nutrition, growth, and body weight. Also, it causes learning problems, affecting their
academic performance and absence from school. Aim: To measure the effect of teeth problems on
school absenteeism and academic achievement among primary school children. Materials and
methods: Design: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Sample:
included 576 primary school children who were selected randomly from two primary schools in
Sohag city. Tools: A structured interview questionnaire was completed by the parents included five
parts regarding 1) demographic characteristics of parents, 2) demographic characteristics of
children; 3) question related to school absenteeism, 4) question related to school academic
achievement, 5) question regarding homework completion, and The Decayed, Missing, Filled
(DMF) index was used to collect data. Results: There was a significant relationship between school
absenteeism and DMFT score (P = 0.001). There was a significant relation between school
academic achievement in academic year subjects and DMFT score (P = 0.007). There was a
significant relationship between homework completion and DMFT score (P = 0.002). Conclusion:
Teeth problems had a bad effect on absenteeism and academic achievement among primary school
children. Recommendation: Establishing a health education program for parents about their
children's teeth problems and frequent periodic teeth checkup is required.

Keywords