awareness of parents of the time of eruption of first permanent molar and caries prevalence in this tooth in children in the south of Jordan

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study was to assess the awareness of parents of the time of eruption of First Permanent Molar and the prevalence of caries in this tooth in children in the south of Jordan. 150 patients [85 females, 65 males] aged between 5-12 years, with mean age [7.6] years formed the study group. Each of them had at least one first permanent molar erupted. They were examined oraly and their parents were interviewed and asked whether they know at what age First Permanent Molar erupts. 82% of the interviewed parents were unaware about the time of eruption of first permanent molar. 54% of the examined children had one or more unsound first permanent molar. 44% of the examined first permanent molars were unsound. DMFT for the First Permanent Molar was [0.17], [0.64], [1.85], and [2.63] at 6, 7, 8 and 9 year old respectively. Parents had little knowledge about the time of eruption of first permanent molar, and, hence, its importance. And there was high caries prevalence in these teeth