The prevalence of dental caries among 12 years-old school children in An-Najaf governorate

Abstract

The study describes a prevalence rate of dental caries in 12 years old school children in An-Najaf governorate. A total of 600 students, 307 males and 293 females in An-Najaf schools by age ,gender and residence(urban, periurban, rural) were examined according to the WHO survey methods .The rate of dental caries among children in urban by gender was 25.2% in permanent teeth and 31.8% in primary teeth of males while in females 31.2% in permanent teeth and 20.4% in primary teeth.Approximately 43% of the males are caries free while 48.4% of the females are caries free. In periurban area the rate of dental caries in males was 20.6% in permanent teeth and 51.5% in primary teeth ,while in females 19.5% in permanent teeth and 23% in primary teeth .It is found that 27.4% of males are caries free and 57.5% of females are caries free. In rural area the rate of dental caries in males was 25.8% of permanent teeth and 25% of primary teeth ,while in females 15.9% of permanent teeth and 19.5% of primary teeth . The caries free subjects were 49.2% of males and 64.6% of females. The prevalence of dental caries among 12 years-old school children in An-Najaf governorate was low according to the WHO criteria.