The gingival health status of 8–12 year-old children in Damascus city in Syria during the Syrian Crisis: a cross-sectional epidemiological oral health survey

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the current gingival health status in children aged 8–12 years in Damascus city. No contemporary data was available with an immense need for studies evaluating the gingival health status in Syrian children, especially under the current circumstances of the Syrian crisis. RESULTS: The study followed the school-based health survey model using stratified random cluster sampling. A total of 1500 children were clinically examined. The mean PI was at (1.39 ± 0.57) and the mean GI was at (1.12 ± 0.46). Of the total sample, (97.93%) had gingivitis. There is a statistically significant relationship between the used indices means and the children’s distribution as to the city’s localities. Also, there is a statistically significant relationship between the used indices means and the children’s gender. Gingival health was seen to be better and plaque accumulations were less in females. The gingival health status is moderate and is within the acceptable ranges while the plaque accumulations are right above moderate. Still, gingivitis prevalence is high and special care as well as developing and implementing advanced preventive programmes are highly needed.