Prevalence And Comparison of Dental Caries Experience Among 12- To 17-Year-Old School Children of Shamli Using DMFT and Sic Index: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : Dental Caries is a major, multifactorial most common chronic disease that causes demineralization of tooth enamel and interferes with normal nutrition intake, speech and daily routine activities.

AIM: To evaluate the dental caries experience among 12 to 17 years old School children in Shamli.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this Study is to assess the Prevalence and Severity of Dental Caries and to Compare the dental caries experience using DMFT and SiC index.

METHODOLOGY: This Descriptive Cross – Sectional study was conducted among 288 School Children aged 12 to 17 years. The subjects were selected from four Randomly selected schools in Shamli. Independent t-test and one way analysis of variance were used to compare the mean difference at 5% significance level (P<0.05).

 RESULTS: Out of 288 students 181 were Males making approximately 63% of the participants while 107 were Females making 37% of the Participants.

The mean DMFT Score of 0.81 and 0.85 were found in Males and Females respectively.

The Overall Score of DMFT was found to be 0.83 +- 1.44

The SiC index score for Males and Females were 2.56 and 2.48 respectively.

The Overall SiC index score is 2.53 +- 1.93

CONCLUSION: The Caries experience among students aged 12 to 17 years in Shamli Schools was Low as compared to the WHO – Recommended Values.

Comparison between DMFT and SiC indices indicated there is a subgroup that presented with a Higher Caries Rate.