Prevalence of dental caries among 12-year old school children in Quetta, Balochistan

ABSTRACT

To assess the prevalence of dental caries among 12 years-old school children. Cross sectional study. Quetta tehsil and study was conducted in March 2003. A total of 153 children name were randomly selected from 4 large public schools in both urban and rural areas and children who were absent at the day of clinical examination were excluded. Caries status was assessed by using WHO criteria [1997]. The results of this study showed that a total of 153 schoolchildren in tehsil [sub district] Quetta, Balochistan were examined. Of those children, 78 [51.0%] were boys and 75[49.0%] were girls. The results of this study showed that dental caries in this age group is very high in this area [81.0% with the mean DMFT=1.38]. More than half of them [52.9%] had one carious tooth and about 2.7% has more than four carious teeth. This study showed that boys had 1 .206[95%CI=1.030. 1.413] times more likely to experience dental caries than girls and the lower first molars were mostly affected by caries. High prevalence of caries and the dental prevention covers school children is still inadequate. Fissure sealant program should be launched to prevent caries in this age group. Further information needed for evaluating dental prevention measures and the success with which they have been targeted at high-risk groups in public school dental service in Quetta, Pakistan