Dental caries experience, prevalence and severity in 13–15 years old students in Mosul city center

Abstract

The aims of the present study is to determine dental caries experience, prevalence and severity in a group of 13–15 years olds. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 516 intermediate school students were examined and dental caries was recorded by DMFT values. Also, the significant caries index, care and treatment need indices were used. Results: Mean DMFT values for the total sample was 5.17 with a statistically significant age difference, females tended to have more caries than males with significant gender difference. The significant caries index was 7.98, care index which shows the restorative care was 10.39. Discussion: There has been an increase in dental caries prevalence and severity in Mosul compared with a previous study that was undertaken during the United Nations’ sanctions on Iraq, due to the availability and relative cheapness of sugars and confectionaries after 2003. Conclusions: To improve children’s oral health, community school–based oral health educational programs should be established starting from primary and extending to intermediate schools, stressing on sugar restriction and oral hygiene measures, fissure sealants and fluorides can also be used effectively.