The Prevalence of Dental Caries among students of Dentistry Colleges in Holy Kerbala Governorate/ Iraq in 2017

Abstract

Objectives: This study was done to determine the prevalence of dental caries and treatment conducted among undergraduate students (18-24 year) in Holy Kerbala governorate/Iraq. Additionally, the selected sample was from two Dentistry Colleges (public and private) students who will be responsible for managing public oral health services in the country.

Methods: A total number of 288 Dentistry Colleges (Holy Kerbala public Dentistry College and Ibin Hayan Private Dentistry College) students were asked through self-administered questionnaire about dental caries, filling and extracted tooth. Dental caries index was calculated by application of DMFT/DMFS index, following the criteria of the World Health Organization. Analysis depended on SPSS-23 and Amos statistical packages at a significance level of .05.

Results: The mean age of the students was 21.42±136 year. Females formed about two thirds of the sample (61.1%). The prevalence of dental caries was 72.9% with a mean DMFT, DMFS values 3.30 ±SE 0.091, 4.94 ±SE 0.161, respectively. The prevalence of dental caries reported by CDC in the USA in 2011/2012 among adolescents aged 16–19 (67%). The mean caries, filling and extracted tooth values were 0.597±.96 for extracted tooth, 1.180±.1.4043 for carried tooth and 1.735±.1.9942 filled tooth, while the mean DMF was 3.15 ±.2.85. The proportion of students with caries, filling and extracted tooth were 46.5%, 54.07% and 31.6%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found for DMF and for each component prevalence rate between the public and private Dentistry College students, or among different genders.

Conclusion: A relatively high caries – experience was present among undergraduate students in the Dentistry Colleges (public and private) in Holy Kerbala governorate indicating the need for efficient preventive programs early in school age and through university students.