Dental caries prevalence in rural school children of district Sirsa Bala Madhu, Reader, Goyal Virinder, Professor, Rai Rita, Professor & Head, Gupta Rajinder, Professor & Head, Agarwal Nidhi, Professor Address for Correspondence: Dr. Madhu Bala, Reader, Deptt. of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, JCD Dental College, Sirsa (Haryana) Email: drmadhugarg@gmail.com
Online published on 25 November, 2013. Abstract Aim The present study was conducted in an attempt to throw some light on the prevalence of dental caries in rural school children of district Sirsa. Methodology A total of 890 children (466 boys & 424 girls) in the age groups of 7–9 & 10–12 years were examined on an ordinary chair in daylight facing away from sunlight using WHO (1997) criteria. Results Results show high caries prevalence with a total of 73.1% in the rural children of district Sirsa. Boys showed a prevalence of 66.9% whereas girls showed a prevalence of 79.9%. Discussion The high caries prevalence reflects on the poor oral hygiene, lack of awareness & importance of oral health to general health. Because dental caries is a continuous and cumulative process, higher DMFT+ deft in the age group of 10–12 yrs appears to be due to increased exposure of the susceptible tooth to poor oral hygiene conditions. Summary & Conclusion Dental caries is a worldwide problem associated with plaque, microorganisms and the intake of refined carbohydrates. Dental caries, if remains unattended & untreated, the percentage is likely to increase in future. This evaluation of def & DMF shows that immediate steps should be taken to decrease the incidence of caries in primary as well as permanent dentitions. Top |