Distribution of dental caries in primary schoolchildren in Al-Samawah City

INTRODUCTION. Dental caries is teeth decay due to bacteria. One of the most preventable of oral health problems and the most prevalent ongoing health issue in primary school children, it is also the most anticipated chronic disorder in children around the globe. Bad oral health influences the quality of life of children.

AIM. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence rate of dental carries and the potential demographical variables among the major pupils in the primary school in the Al-Samawah City.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. This survey study conducted between February and June 2025 and, carried out in Al-Muthanna province in four schools (2 public + 2 private) randomly drawn from a list of all primary schools in the governorate. This study used a total sample of 100, 5 schools was also used in random selection of 25 children in each school who were taken to the dentists by the research personnel, to determine the prevalence on Dental caries and other relevant information on the demographical characteristic and sociodemographic status was obtained through a structured questionnaire that was set aside to carrying it out. The data analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version-23.

RESULTS. Overall, the results of this study revealed the highest no. of dental caries was in children of private school (48), while the non-dental caries children prevalence highest in public school with no (10). However, numbering of decay teeth according to type of school illustrated of the following [the no. of children that not have dental caries in public school were highest (10), while the no. of children that have (1-4) teeth decay were highest in public school also with no (29). In contrast to that, the private school children illustrated highest no. of dental caries in (4-10) and in more than 10 teeth with numbering (16 and 5, respectively). In term of cleaning status of children, the college or institutional education level of father showed highest percentage in public and private school (39.13% and 63.64%, respectively). On the other hand, the highest percentage of tooth brush children in public school was in intermediate economic level family (67.39%), while the highest percentage of tooth brushing children in private school were in good economic level family (65.91%). Overall, study findings indicated that it was found that a higher no. of dental caries was related to that of a children, mothers and fathers with secondary as well as, college or institutional education level.

CONCLUSIONS. The study is useful in giving me ideas on the distribution patterns and causes of caries as well as influences of the sociodemographics on dental caries in adolescent schoolchildren. According to this research, in general, a wide range of prevalence of dental caries among primary schoolchildren was present in the Al-Muthanna province. But the difference in the prevalence rates is seen in respect of sampling technique, sample size related to the factors associated with this province like economic conditions of the family, education level of mother and father and youngsters brushing their teeth. Nevertheless, the findings depicted that the highest no. of dental caries was observed in kids of a private school. In addition, more decay teeth were linked with a child whose parents had secondary and as well as college or institutional education level.

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