ABSTRACT
To assess the dental caries status among 12 to 14 years old children in urban and rural schools. A cross sectional was done. The study was carried out at Lasbella District of Balochistan in October 2010. The duration of study was one month. The study was conducted in one urban and one rural school. The study population was consist of 108 students aged 12-14 year. The DMFT score was recorded on WHO recommended forms for dental caries status. The study period was one month and was conducted in one urban and two rural schools of Lasbella district. The study population consisted of 108 students and out of them 55.6% belonged to rural school and 44.4% belong to urban school. The mean DMFT of rural was higher 2.63 +/- 2.44 as compared to the urban population 2.08 +/- 2. DMFT was highest at the age of 13 years 2.55 +/- 2.17. Males had a higher mean of DMFT 2.46 +/- 2.17 as compared to females 2.32 +/- 2.44. Although there were no significant differences of means of DMFT by age, sex and location of school. Out of the total urban students 39.6% of school children were caries free as compared to 20% of students in the rural population. Our study highlighted the extent of dental disease in urban and rural areas of district Lasbella. There is need and high demand for dental services and awareness raising programs in these areas