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DOI: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijde.0974.6099.11118.2

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent and common chronic infectious disease of childhood. It cause tooth pain, discomfort, eating impairment, loss of tooth and delay language development. Furthermore, dental caries has been increasing among school children due to unlimited consumption of sugary substances, poor oral care practices and inadequate health service utilization. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries of the first permanent molars among Sudanese children at Pediatric clinic Faculty of Dentistry University of Khartoum. Methodology: Descriptive retrospective study of fully documented dental records from school children attending a pediatric dental clinic was conducted. Total of 300 dental records of 139 (46.3%) boys and 161 (53.7%) girls aged 6 to 14 years old were studied. Results: The prevalence of the dental caries in first permanent molar (FPM) was 183 (61%) from total 300 children, 73 (39.9%) boys and 110 (60.1%) girls. Mandible was more prone to caries than maxilla. Conclusion: The most prevalence tooth surface was the occlusal surface. A girl was more susceptible to dental caries than boys. Children 7 years old recorded the highest susceptible age to dental caries. Recommendation: Along with nutritional factors, a comprehensive approach to preventing dental caries in children must include improved general dietary habits, good oral hygiene, appropriate use of fluorides, and access to preventive and restorative dental care.

Keywords: Dental Caries; First permanent molar (FPM). 

Corresponding Author : Amal H. Abuaffan, Department of orthodontics, Pedodontics and preventive dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Khartoum, Sudan. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Khartoum. Sudan