RESUMO
The aim of this study was to describe the caries prevalence and severity in secondary school children in Riyadh and Qaseem regions and, to correlate caries experience with fluoride levels in the drinking water. A total of 734. 15- to 19-year-old [Mean 16.4, SD 1.2 years] secondary school children from areas of various water fluoride levels were examined in Riyadh [236 male and 193 female] and Qaseem [163 male and 142 female], utilizing the World Health Organization [WHO] criteria for the diagnosis of dental caries. Results showed the prevalence of dental caries as 91.1% in Riyadh and 90.5% in Qaseem. The mean DMFT score In Riyadh was 7.35 [SD 4.99], with D component of 6.28, M component of 0.32 and F component 010.75. The mean DMFT score in Qaseem was 7.05 [SD 4.58] with D component of 6.02, M component of 0.46 and F component of 0.56. The overall data showed no significant difference [P> 0.05] in mean DMFT scores at various fluoride levels. However, low values of DMFT were found in two fluoride zones [0.61 -0.80 ppm and 0.81 - 1.50 ppm]. It was concluded that the caries prevalence was very high among the students studied in Riyadh and Qaseem regions. However, there was no linear correlation between the caries experience and water fluoride level in both Riyadh and Qaseem regions