Prevalence and intensity of dental caries among school students in jeddah city

ABSTRACT

This survey was conducted on school children of the various educational stages in Jeddah city. The aim was to detect the caries experience of school pupils. A stratified random sample was taken from the various administrative districts of Jeddah. Stratification by age, educational stage and gender was done and random samples were drawn from the school lists of various stages. A total sample of 2400 students was surveyed, half males and half females, equally withdrawn from private and public schools of the various educational levels. The results revealed a low caries experience 2.5 among the 9-12 year old group, and moderate [DMFT =3.46 and 4.31] among the 13-15 and 16-18 year old groups respectively. The trend was therefore not decreasing. Females and governmental schools had higher DMFT levels in intermediate and high schools. Educational, preventive and therapeutic school dental programs are recommended