Asian Journal of Medicine and Health

Objectives: Estimating the prevalence of dental caries among preparatory school children as well as identifying the possible risk factors and determining the correlation between dental caries and total antioxidant capacity in saliva in the studied group.

Background: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting millions of people globally with high prevalence even in adolescent ranging from 60-90% and it is a major cause of tooth loss, pain and discomfort worldwide, however it doesn't have an inevitable outcome as some of the risk factors can be modified and caries can be prevented.

Materials and Methods: A case control nested in a cross sectional study was carried out in Shebin El-kom District Menoufia governorate. The study sample consisted of1283 children (651 males, 632 females). Saliva samples and questionnaire were collected through school visits. Total antioxidant capacity in saliva was done.

Results: Prevalence of dental caries was (62.8%) with Decayed, Missed and Filled teeth index (DMFT) score (1.3 ± 1.32). There was significant difference between children with dental caries and ones without caries regarding dietary habits and habitual optimal teeth brushing (p value<0.05).

Conclusion: Prevalence of dental caries is high among preparatory school children, to face this problem, there should be a program carried by government specially Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health targeted both of children and their parents through different public media approaches. Programs should focus on the optimal teeth brushing and the healthy nutritional habits needed for better teeth health.