Prevalence and Pattern of Dental Caries in the Deciduous Dentition

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of dental caries in the deciduous dentition among 5 year old children. The area of study was Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the study population consisted of 504 school children of both sexes (263 males and 241 females). A simple random sampling method was used to select the schools. Dental caries was assessed by the Dentition status and Treatment Need (WHO 1997). Statistical analysis was done using the Proportion test. The prevalence of caries was 44.4 % among the study population, being higher in the males (P < 0.05); In Mandibular arch in both the sexes (males P < 0.05, females P < 0.01); and in posterior teeth (both sex wise & arch wise). Comparison of caries among maxillary and mandibular anterior and posterior teeth (males vs females) revealed higher caries prevalence in Maxillary anterior teeth (P < 0.001) and Mandibular posterior teeth (P < 0.001). In both the sexes and arches, primary second molars showed higher caries prevalence.