The prevalence of dental agenesis among children with cleft lip and palate patients in Lahore, Pakistan.

Objective: This retrospective, cross-sectional analytical study investigated the incidence of tooth agenesis in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) radiographs of the CLP children were examined for congenitally missing teeth. Method: This study was conducted at three radiology centers in Lahore, namely, the Pakistan Jinnah MRI and Body Scan Centre, the University of Lahore Radiology Centres, and Fatima Memorial Hospital, from September 2021 to August 2022. The CLP patients were divided into four groups based on the location of the cleft: Cleft Lip and Palate Right (CLPR), Cleft Lip and Palate Left (CLPL), Bilateral Cleft (CLPB), and Midline Cleft (CLPM), inside and outside the cleft region. Two-way ANOVA was employed to compare the means of agenesis. Tukey's test was utilized to ascertain where the difference lies. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Moreover, a significant number of missing teeth were found inside the cleft. This study observed the CLPL (42.3%) and CLPR (13.6%) types more in number. Maxillary first premolars were found more missing outside the cleft region in CLPL and CLPB types. Although CLPB and CLPM types revealed a pattern of missing teeth, only a few cases were found in this study. Moreover, mean tooth agenesis was highest (4.5 SD.71) in the CLPM group, followed up by CLPB (2.75 SD 2.49), CLPR (1.23 SD 1.27), and CLPL Group (1.15 SD 1.12). Conclusions: Unilateral cleft lip and palate patients reported significant agenesis patttern compared to bilateral and median cleft cases.

Early childhood caries prevalence and associated risk factors among Saudi preschool children in Riyadh.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and investigate the effect of associated risk factors on ECC prevalence in preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included Saudi preschoolers aged 36-71 months. Parents/guardians completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographics; medical, dental, and dietary history; and oral hygiene practices. Children were orally examined for dental caries, oral hygiene, and plaque deposition. RESULTS: A total of 383 children were examined. ECC prevalence was 72.6%, with a mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) score of 4.13 (±3.99) and a mean decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs) score of 7.0 (±9.1). Children from schools in northern Riyadh and those of fathers in professional jobs were less likely to have ECC [(OR: 0.203; 95% CI: 0.082-0.503)] and [(OR: 0.472; 95% CI: 0.256-0.871)], respectively. Children with a nocturnal feeding history and poor oral hygiene were more likely to have ECC [(OR: 2.281; 95% CI: 1.143-4.553)] and [(OR: 5.523; 95% CI: 2.269-13.441)], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ECC in preschool children in Riyadh is high and affected by parental socioeconomic factors, infant feeding practices, and children's oral hygiene status.

Association of polymorphisms in genes involved in enamel formation, taste preference and immune response with early childhood caries in Saudi pre-school children.

Dental caries is primarily elicited by modifiable factors such as inadequate oral hygiene, poor dietary practices and deficient fluoride exposure. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the profound influence of genetic factors in dental caries susceptibility. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ENAM (rs12640848), MMP20 (rs1784418), TAS2R38 (rs713598), and LTF (rs4547741) genes and early childhood caries (ECC) in Saudi preschool children. This case-control study enrolled 360 Saudi preschool children (262 with ECC and 98 caries-free). Data on environmental factors were collected through a questionnaire. However, caries experience and oral hygiene data were obtained during clinical examination. Buccal swab samples were collected for DNA extraction and SNPs were genotyped using PCR and DNA sequencing. Children with ECC were compared to caries free children (control), then they were categorized into two categories based on ECC severity as follows; non-severe ECC (NS-ECC), and severe-ECC (S-ECC). Association between the SNPs, ECC, NS-ECC, and S-ECC was reported as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The majority of the children (72.8%) exhibited ECC (31.7% NS-ECC and 41.1% S-ECC) with mean dmft of 4.20 ± 4.05. Multivariate analyses of environmental factors showed that nocturnal feeding was a risk factor for ECC (P = 0.008). Poor oral hygiene was also a risk factor for both NS-ECC and S-ECC (ECC: P < 0.0001, NS-ECC: P = 0.032 and S-ECC: P < 0.0001). Univariate analysis showed that the AG genotype of rs1784418 of MMP20 gene was protective against ECC (OR = 0.532; 95% CI = 0.316-0.897, P = 0.018) and against NS-ECC (OR = 0.436; 95% CI = 0.238-0.798, P = 0.007). When environmental risk factors for ECC were included as covariates during multivariate analysis, AG variant in rs1784418 of MMP20 gene remained less frequent in NS-ECC cases compared to controls with borderline significance (OR = 0.542; 95% CI = 0.285-1.033, P = 0.063). Our findings concluded that MMP20 rs1784418 SNP might be associated with protection against ECC in Saudi preschool children.

Dental caries and related risk factors in Saudi cerebral palsy children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine caries experience and related risk factors in cerebral palsy (CP) children. METHODS: Random sample of CP children was examined for dental caries and oral hygiene. Questionnaire was utilized for information about caries risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh from December 2014 to May 2015. RESULTS: Fifty-two CP children were examined with mean age of 6.3+/-2.7 years. Only one (1.9%) child out of the 52 had no clinical caries. Combined (dmft plus DMFT) mean caries score among study sample was 9.98+/-3.99. Older children had significantly higher mean caries scores (11.5+/-3.34) than younger children (8.86+/-4.1, p=0.017). The CP children with good oral hygiene had lowest mean caries score (5.8+/-7.32) as compared to those with fair (9.72+/-3.3) and poor (11.55+/-3.05) oral hygiene (p=0.012). Those children whose first dental visit was for routine check-up had significantly (p=0.02) lower mean caries scores (7.33+/-4.65) than those who made their first visit due to dental problem (11.57+/-4.15). Similarly, those who had topical fluoride applications by dentist had significantly (p=0.003) lower mean caries scores (8.67+/-4.14) than those with no topical fluoride application (11.9+/-2.89). CONCLUSION: The studied CP children had very high caries experience and poor oral hygiene. There was strong association between the high caries experience and poor oral hygiene.

Oral health comprehension in parents of Saudi cerebral palsy children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine oral health comprehension among parents of cerebral palsy (CP) children. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to obtain the required information. The study was conducted in two main centers for disabled children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Parents of all 157 CP children registered in the two centers completed the questionnaire. Mothers mostly (86.6%) completed the questionnaire. Majority (98.7%) of the parents knew the importance of dental health for general health. More than two-third (70%) of the parents thought that teeth should be brushed thrice daily or after each meal. About three in every ten (29.9%) parents were not aware of the beneficial effect of fluoride in preventing dental caries; and very few (9.6%) were aware of water as a source of fluoride. Almost all (98.7%) the parents knew that sugary foods caused dental caries. Three-fourth (75.8%) of the parents were not aware of the possible harmful effects of bottled juices on teeth. There were no significant (p > 0.05) associations between the parental age/gender with any of the dependent variables. CONCLUSION: Parents of CP children generally showed satisfactory oral health comprehension. However, they need further oral health education in several areas.

Antibacterial Activity of Two Chemomechanical Caries Removal Gels on Carious Dentin of Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chemomechanical caries removal (CMCR) is an effective method of caries removal especially for primary teeth as they cause less discomfort when compared with conventional caries removal. The most significant thing about caries removal is the elimination of cariogenic bacteria. This study compares the antibacterial activity of two CMCR gels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 primary molar teeth with carious dentin were split along the long axis in a laboratory. Total viable count (TVC) was taken for the teeth before splitting as a measure of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Each half was treated with either Carisolv or Carie-Care CMCR gels. Clean dentin samples were evaluated for Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LB) after removal of carious tissue using the caries removal gels using serial dilutions and incubating on specific agar plates. RESULTS: The results showed significant reduction in mean TVC after use of both the CMCR gels. Both gels reduced the CFU/mL of SM and LB to a significant level (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the antibacterial activities of the two CMCR gels. CONCLUSION: The CMCR gels (Carisolv and Carie-Care) significantly reduced the residual TVC as well as SM and LB in carious primary dentin. Both CMCR gels had a similar antibacterial activity on the carious dentin of primary teeth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The CMCR gels tested have a significant antibacterial activity and can be effectively used for elimination of caries-causing bacteria in primary teeth.

Knowledge and attitude of Saudi mothers towards their preschool children's oral health.

OBJECTIVES: To determine knowledge and attitude of Saudi mothers towards their preschool children's oral health. METHODS: One hundred and one mothers (of children aged 16 to 40 months) attending well-baby clinics at Security Forces Hospital Polyclinics in Makkah Al-Mukarrama participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect the required information. RESULTS: A great majority (92.1%) of the mothers agreed that "baby teeth are important for child's general health. Similarly, 90.1% of the mothers agreed that "using fluoridated toothpaste helps to prevent tooth decay". About four in every ten mothers (43.6%) agreed that a child should be allowed to use a bottle at-will when he/she becomes able to hold it. More than half of the mothers (54.5%) agreed that letting baby sleep with bottle still in the mouth was of no harm to teeth. A significantly (p=0.04) higher percentage of high Socioeconomic status (SES) mothers as compared to middle SES mothers (85.9% versus 55.6%) agreed that "frequent feeding with milk or milk formula is of no harm to baby's teeth". A significantly (p=003) higher percentage of the middle SES mothers as compared to high SES mothers (66.7% versus 17.4%) agreed that a child should only visit a dentist in case of a dental pain/problem. CONCLUSIONS: The mothers need to be educated in several important areas related to feeding, diet and first dental check-up visit of their children.

Saudi Arabian dental students' knowledge and beliefs regarding obesity in children and adults.

The objectives of this study were to determine knowledge/beliefs of a group of Saudi Arabian dental students regarding overweight/obesity (OW/OB). Dental students (fourth-year, fifth-year, and interns) at King Saud University College of Dentistry completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding OW/OB in children and adults. Frequency distribution and chi-square analyses were done. The total respondents were 260 (response rate=87 percent), most of whom were male (59 percent). Half of the respondents reported their knowledge of OW/OB in adults/children to be average, with knowledge of pediatric OW/OB rated lower (37 percent reported it as fair/poor) than adult OW/OB (17 percent reported it as fair/poor). Only a third (34 percent) of the respondents selected body mass index (BMI) as the best method to identify OW/OB. More than half of the respondents correctly believed that OW/OB was a problem in many adults/children in Saudi Arabia. A slightly higher proportion endorsed a role for dentists in the identification/prevention of OW/OB in children (76 percent) as compared to adults (69 percent). Female respondents had better knowledge than males about OW/OB and were more likely to correctly select BMI as the best method for identifying OW/OB. These findings may provide support for the expansion of education in these areas in the dental curriculum.

Caries experience and oral hygiene status of cerebral palsy children in Riyadh.

The purpose of this study was to determine the caries experience and oral hygiene (OH) status of cerebral palsy (CP) children in Riyadh area. One hundred and forty CP children [82 (58.6%) males & 58 (41.4%) females] were examined for dental caries and OH status in dental clinic of the Disabled Children's Association Center, Riyadh. The children were divided into three age groups; first group 3-6 years old (41 children), second group 7-9 years old (52 children) and third group 10-12 years old (47 children). The mean DMFS (decayed, missing and filled surfaces) score for the first group was 18.8 (+/- 16.3), with the DS component of 10.9 (+/- 7.5), MS component of 3.7 (+/- 10.4) and FS component of 4.1 (+/- 8.9). For the second group the mean DMFS was 23.4 (+/- 17.7) with DS component of 15.4 (+/-12.1), MS component of 4.1 (+/-9.0) and FS component of 3.8 (+/- 8.5). The corresponding values for the third group were 20.5 (+/- 14.0), 12.4 (+/- 9.7), 5.1 (+/- 12.4) and 2.9 (+/- 5.5) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in caries experience between the three age groups. Very few (5.7%) CP children were rated as having good OH. There was a strong association between poor oral hygiene status and high DMFS score. It can be concluded that the caries experience of CP children in Riyadh is very high, and that very few of these children have good oral hygiene.

Comparison of oral midazolam with a combination of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation in the effectiveness of dental sedation for young children.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of 0.6 mg/kg oral midazolam sedation alone and a combination of 0.6 mg/kg oral midazolam plus nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation, in controlling the behavior of uncooperative children during dental treatment. STUDY DESIGN: The study had a crossover design where the same patient received two different sedation regimens, that is, oral midazolam 0.6 mg/kg and oral midazolam 0.6 mg/kg with nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation during two dental treatment visits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty children (17 males and 13 females) were randomly selected for the study, with a mean age of 55.07 (+/- 9.29) months, ranging from 48 - 72 months. A scoring system suggested by Houpt et al. (1985) was utilized for assessment of the children's behavior. RESULTS: There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the overall behavior assessment between the two sedation regimens, that is, oral midazolam alone and oral midazolam plus nitrous oxide-oxygen. However, the combination of midazolam and nitrous oxide-oxygen showed significantly (p < 0.05) superior results as compared to midazolam alone, in terms of controlling movement and crying during local anesthesia administration and restorative procedures. CONCLUSION: Compared to oral midazolam alone, a combination of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation appears to provide more comfort to pediatric dental patients and operators during critical stages of dental treatment.

Caries prevalence, severity, and pattern in preschool children.

AIM: To determine caries prevalence, severity, and pattern in preschool children of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 789 randomly selected preschool children, 379 (48%) male and 410 (52%) female, with mean age of 4.7 (SD 0.5) years were examined for dental caries using World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: The overall caries prevalence among the sample was 74.8%. The mean decayed, missing, and filled (dmft) score was 6.1 (SD 3.9) with a decay component of 4.66, a missing component of 0.54, and a filled component of 0.92. There was no significant difference (p>.05) in caries prevalence and severity in relation to gender of the children. However, the caries prevalence and severity were significantly higher (p<.05) among children from government preschools as compared to those from private preschools. Among the posterior teeth, mandibular second molars (54.3%), and among anterior teeth, maxillary central incisors (27.9%) had the highest caries prevalence. Among the molars, caries prevalence was generally high in lower molars while among the anterior teeth, upper teeth generally had a higher caries prevalence. The majority of the children (50.3%) had both posterior and anterior tooth caries, 42.2% had posterior tooth caries only, while very few (7.5%) children had only anterior tooth caries. CONCLUSION: Caries prevalence and severity are very high in the study population, and most children have posterior tooth caries. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Early measures such as fissure sealants, topical fluoride applications (as early as safely possible), and dietary fluoride supplements (where indicated) are needed to prevent caries of deciduous molars in high caries populations.

Attitude of parents of disabled children towards dental visits in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The objective of the present study was to determine the attitude of parents of disabled children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia towards dental visits. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required information. A total of 315 parents, 70 (22.2%) fathers and 245 (77.8%) mothers completed the questionnaire. Almost all (99.0%) the parents were aware that regular dental check-ups are important in maintaining good dental health. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the parents were of the opinion that one must visit a dentist every six months for dental check-up; and some (17.8%) even every three months. However, 83 (26.3%) children had never visited a dentist. Only nine (2.8%) children had visited a dentist for first dental check-up by the age of three years. A significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of parents with "secondary school or higher" education (69.7%) were of the opinion that one should visit a dentist every six months as compared to parents with "middle school or lower" education (57.3%). About one-fourth of the older age groups (25.6% in 6-10 years old and 24.5% in > or = 11 years old) made their last visit to a dentist due to pain as compared with about one in every ten children (11.1%) in younger age group. The children with mental retardation had the highest percentage (81.5%) among those who had visited a dentist followed by cerebral palsy children (79.2%) and Downs syndrome children (68.4%). It can be concluded that the parents' attitude towards importance of regular visit in their disabled children is positive. However, there is a need to inform them about the importance of early first dental visit, and establishing a support mechanism to utilize their positive attitude.

Oral health knowledge in parents of Saudi cerebral palsy children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine oral health knowledge in parents of cerebral palsy (CP) children, and the parents` attitude to oral health of their CP children. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect the required information from the parents. One hundred and six parents, 73 (68.9%) mothers, and 33 (31.1%) fathers completed the questionnaire between April and June 2006 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: All (100%) the parents thought that good oral health was important for maintaining optimum general health. Most (95.3%) of the parents believed that they can maintain good dental health in their CP children by supervising their children`s tooth brushing, reducing sugary food intake and making regular visits to a dentist. A significantly high (p=0.005) percentage of high education parents (96.8%) had heard of fluoride as compared with low education parents (79.5%). CONCLUSION: The overall oral health knowledge and attitude of parents of CP children is satisfactory.

Oral health knowledge and sources of information among male Saudi school children.

The purpose of present study was to determine the oral health knowledge and sources of information in male Saudi school children. The required information was collected through a especially designed questionnaire. A total of 130 children completed the questionnaire with the mean age of 13.3 (SD 1.9) years. There was no significant difference in oral health knowledge or sources of information in relation to age and educational level. Less than half (44.6%) of the children actually had heard about fluoride, one-third (34.6%) correctly identified the action of fluoride as preventing tooth decay. Almost all (97.2%) the children thought that sweets (chocolates/candies) could cause tooth decay. However, a large number of children were not aware of cariogenic potential of soft drinks (31.5%). More than half (53.1%) of the children reported that their dentist taught them how to brush properly. However, 11.5% children were not taught by any one about proper tooth-brushing. A large number (40.0%) of children thought that one must visit the dentist only in case of pain in the teeth. Dentists were the most popular (61.5%) source of oral health information. It can be concluded that the children need further oral health education in areas of caries prevention, and there was a need to utilise parents, schoolteachers and media to enhance their oral health knowledge.

Fluoride levels in drinking water in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the fluoride levels in drinking water in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 817 water samples were collected from 260 locations in Central Saudi Arabia. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer [HACH instrument, model DR 3000] was used in the analyses of water samples for fluoride levels. RESULTS: The results showed that fluoride levels vary between 0.00 and 6.20 ppm. About 75% and 6% of the population in Riyadh and Qassim regions, respectively, were exposed to very low fluoride levels (0.00-0.03 ppm), while less than 3% of the population in both regions were exposed to fluoride levels ranging from 0.61 to 0.80 ppm. A higher percentage of the population in Qassim than Riyadh region were exposed to high fluoride levels (>0.81 ppm); 28.63% than in Riyadh with 9.24%. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can serve as a baseline data for water fluoridation and other dental preventive programs in the area.

Prosthetic dental treatment needs in Eastern [corrected] Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prosthetic treatment needs of an adult population in Al-Ahsa Area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A sample of adults attending the King Fahad Hospital Dental Center, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were examined for prosthetic treatment needs utilizing the World Health Organization criteria during 1999. Statistical analysis system was utilized to generate frequencies, means and standard deviations, and various statistical tests were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 435 adults, 192 (44.1%) males and 243 (55.9%) females with a mean age of 47.7 (standard deviation 15.4) years were examined for prosthetic treatment needs. About two-thirds (64.8%) of the sample were in need of an upper denture. A significantly higher number of males (68.8%) needed an upper denture as compared to the females (61.7%). About three-quarters (73.8%) of the sample were in need of a lower denture. The need for lower denture was similar among the males (75.0%) and females (72.8%). About one-sixth (17.2%) of the sample was in need of an upper bridge. A higher number of females (18.9%) needed an upper bridge as compared to the males (15.1%). About one-quarter (22.5%) of the sample was in need of a lower bridge. A higher number of females (25.5%) needed lower bridge as compared to the males (18.8%). The need for upper denture was similar in both urban (64.7%) and rural (65.1%) dwellers. The need for lower denture was also similar in both urban (73.2%) and rural (75.2%) dwellers. A higher number of rural dwellers needed an upper (20.2%) and lower (26.4%) bridge as compared to the upper (16%) and lower (20.9%) bridge in urban dwellers. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that more than one- quarter of the sample needs a denture. A significantly higher number of males needed dentures than females. More females were in need of a bridge as compared with males. A significantly higher percentage of urban population needed full dentures as compared with rural population.

Caries prevalence, severity and pattern in pre-school children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, severity and pattern of caries in preschool children of Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty two randomly selected pre-school children were examined in kindergartens of Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for dental caries using World Health Organization criteria for the diagnosis of caries. The study was completed in 2000. RESULTS: The mean decayed missing and filled teeth score in the 322 pre-school children examined was 2.92 (standard deviation 3.51) with decay component as the major contributor in the decayed missing and filled teeth score. The difference between mean decayed missing and filled teeth scores was not significant in relation to gender, type of kindergarten (government or private) and area (urban or rural). The difference between mean decayed missing and filled teeth scores of 4-year-old and 5-year-old children was statistically significant. Of the 322 children examined, 202 (62.7%) were caries positive. There was no significant difference for caries prevalence in relation to gender, type of kindergarten and area. But, the difference in caries prevalence between various age groups was statistically significant. The mandibular first molars were the most carious teeth followed by mandibular 2nd molars and maxillary central incisors. The least affected teeth were mandibular central incisors. CONCLUSION: The mean decayed missing and filled teeth score and caries prevalence in the studied pre-school children is high as compared with children from developed countries. A major decay component indicates a high percentage of untreated caries. A high percentage of carious maxillary incisors indicate a nursing caries pattern.

Caries prevalence in Saudi primary schoolchildren of Riyadh and their teachers' oral health knowledge, attitude and practices.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the caries prevalence and severity in primary school children Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices of their teachers. METHODS: A random sample of primary schoolchildren was examined for dental caries utilizing World Health Organization criteria for diagnosis of caries. The information regarding oral health knowledge, attitude and practices in schoolteachers was collected through an especially designed self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries among the sample was 94.4%. The mean decayed, missing and filled score for primary teeth of the sample was 6.3 (+3.5), with decay component of 4.9 (+3.1), missing component of 1.1 (+1.7) and filled component of 0.3 (+1.0). The mean decayed, missing and filled score for permanent teeth of the sample was 1.6 (+1.5) with decay component of 1.5 (+1.4) as the major component. All the teachers (100%) thought that good dental health was important for general health and that routine check up dental visits help in maintaining good dental health. All the teachers (100%) thought that tooth cleaning using brush or miswak was important for good dental health. Regarding the caries risk factors, the majority of teachers understood the main causes of dental caries such as poor oral hygiene (97.4%) and high sugar intake (97.4%). Almost all the teachers (97.4%) thought that dental health lectures were of great importance for their students but less than half (41%) actually spent time on teaching proper oral health care. CONCLUSION: The caries prevalence in Riyadh primary schoolchildren is very high. The teachers' knowledge regarding oral health is satisfactory and their attitude towards oral health is very positive.