Method: This cross-sectional analytical study comprised of 10 Pre- schools in Johannesburg. Stratified randomised sampling of the participating Pre-schools was done and the schools were stratified by regions. Dental caries experience was recorded using WHO criteria DMFT/dmft scores were ranked in a descending order and the top one-third was analysed independently to determine the Significant Caries Index (SiC).
Result:
A total of 459 children (219 females and 240 males) with a mean age of 4.8 years were examined. The overall caries prevalence was 44% with a mean dmft score of 2.3 SD 3.4.In the 4-5 year olds the caries prevalence is 48.79% (dmft 2.38, SD 3.44, SiC 6.41 p=1.1) and 6 year olds caries prevalence was 51.16% (dmft 2.38, SD 3.44 , SiC 5.35, p= 2.16). The unmet treatment needs in this cohort was found to be 97%. The dmft in the 4-5 year olds was 2.4 compared to 2.38 in the NCOHS and in the 6 year olds is 2.9 compared to 2.02 in the NCOHS.
Conclusion: This study provided evidence of high caries prevalence amongst children in preschools in Johannesburg with a skewed distribution amongst the cohort