RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine the oral hygiene and periodontal status in a large sample of Libyan school children and to establish baseline data for further studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 2015 Libyan school children aged 7 to 16 years. The clinical examinations included measurement of oral hygiene status, gingivitis, periodontal pocket depth, and evaluation of periodontal treatment need. The correlation between these variables was analyzed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the boys and girls in oral hygiene status. The overall mean gingival score for the total study sample was 0.05. In children (15 and 16 years old) from rural areas, 4.9% had signs of periodontal pocketing; the comparable figure for both urban and rural areas was 4.1%. Only 4% of 15 and 16 year old children were found to require complex periodontal treatment. CONCLUSION: Though the oral hygiene index was generally good, some of the children had mild gingival inflammation and periodontal pocketing.
