COMPARISON OF ORAL HEALTH STATUS AND PRACTICES AMONG 12-15 YEARS OLD STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF MINGORA, SWAT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Dental caries remains a significant public health burden among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, with socioeconomic disparities driving unequal oral health outcomes. Data from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, particularly semi urban regions, remain critically limited. Objective: To assess and compare oral health status and practices among 12–15-year-old male students attending public and private schools in Mingora, Swat, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 460 male students (297 public, 163 private) selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via structured questionnaires on oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and self-reported problems, supplemented by clinical examinations using the DMFT index. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests. Results: Public school students demonstrated significantly higher mean DMFT scores (4.95 ± 1.83) compared to private school students (3.89 ± 2.38); mean difference 1.06 (95% CI: 0.64–1.49), p < 0.001. While brushing frequency did not differ significantly, private school students exhibited superior practices, with morning brushing (40.5% vs 20.2%, p < 0.001) and dental floss use (39.9% vs 24.9%, p = 0.001). Public school students showed higher sugary food consumption (55.9% vs 41.1%, p = 0.002) and greater mouthwash use (45.1% vs 33.1%, p = 0.012). High symptom prevalence including tooth pain (45.2%), bleeding gums (42.0%), and eating difficulty (48.3%) indicated substantial unmet treatment needs across both groups. Conclusions: Significant oral health disparities exist between public and private school students in Mingora, with socioeconomic gradients manifesting in higher caries experience and suboptimal preventive practices among public school attendees. School based interventions targeting public schools, incorporating supervised fluoride programs, dietary counselling, and accessible dental services, are urgently needed to reduce these inequities and improve adolescent oral health in underserved populations.