DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2016.v03i07.002

Pages: 199-203

Abstract: Dental caries is one of the commonest oral diseases in children and DMFT index is the most important quantitative factor for measuring tooth health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries-free children using DMFT and significant caries (SiC) indexes in students of the West of Iran. In a cross-sectional and descriptive study in 2013, 402 students of 12-year-old from six Junior (guidance) schools. The studied students had no milk tooth and systemic disease and also in the last three months did not take a certain drug on an ongoing basis. The diagnosis of dental caries was done based on the guidelines of WHO for dental caries in 12-year-old. Out of 402 students, 210 (52.2%) were boys and 192 (47.8%) were girls. The mean DMFT was 1.91, DT 1.64, MT 1.91 and FT 0.25. The mean SiC index was 3.9 and the percentage of caries free was 28.6%. Mandibular Molar Ι teeth had the most decay (51%) following by maxillary Molar Ι(23.4%) and mandibular Molar ΙΙ (12.4%). In conclusion, the border areas of Iran had more dental carries compared with central areas that Iran's Ministry of Health should increase its attention to these areas via oral health education and full control of drinking water and also improve diet and public awareness via school health professionals and public media.