RESUMEN
To determine the frequency and factors that affect dental caries and its association with oral hygiene practice in the participants. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 patients attending the OPDs in GMC hospital, Ajman and Sharjah using an interviewer administered questionnaire. After collecting data, participants had been educated on oral hygiene practice. Data was entered on MS excel and coded on Statistics Program for Social Science [SPSS]. Data had been analyzed with SPSS program and presented in percentage tables and graphs chi square test was done for associations. 57% of the participants had dental caries, 57.2% of the males and 59.2% females had caries. Marital status has a significant effect on dental caries, between the married and unmarried; 64.7% of married and 47.9% of unmarried participants had dental caries. In the two major occupation categories more laborers [62.6%] had dental caries when compared with those having office jobs [52.3%]. Frequency of caries was 50.5% for insured participants and 63.6% for un-insured participants 46.3% of patients with dental caries have regular visits to a dentist, whereas 61.4% had dental caries in which they don't have regular visits. Beverage intake has a significant effect on dental caries; in which 61.1% of patients have dental caries and 38.9% of patients have no dental caries. Smoking and non-smoking participants had equal percent of dental caries. Three fourths of the participants that did not receive education on oral hygiene practice have dental caries In conclusion, dental caries was seen in more than half of the patients who attended GMU/ OPD centers. Participants who had regular visits to the dentist had lower incidence of dental caries that indicates the need for education on oral hygiene practices and preventive care in this population