evaluation of dmft and dmft and gingival inflammation in iranian school students: findings of a nationwide screening survey in urban and rural areas

introduction: decayed teeth are one of the diseases of civilization. intraoral factors which interact with the others such as heredity, cultural and social factors are involved in the initiation of the disease. among social factors, health care is particularly important. the aim of the present study was to evaluate dmft, dmft and gingivitis in the first-year students of elementary, guidance and high schools in rural and urban areas in 23 provinces of iran. materials and methods: this descriptive nationwide study was conducted in 2009‒2010 as part of the routine examination of first-year students of elementary, guidance and high schools in 23 provinces in iran. this examination was performed across the country by physicians and medical personnel in relation to dmft and dmft and gingival inflammation. data were recorded in students’ health records and frequencies were extracted and reported. results: the results showed first-year elementary students had the highest caries rate with 45.56%. caries rates were 40.99% and 35.8% in rural and urban areas, respectively. first-year students of elementary, guidance and high schools in kashan and shiraz had the highest and lowest caries rates with 62% and 13%, respectively. conclusion: under the limitations of the present study, the highest caries rate was reported in elementary students in kashan. the highest rates of tooth extractions, tooth restorations and gingival inflammation were reported in elementary, high school and guidance school students, respectively.