Prevalence of Dental Caries among 6-year Population from Enugu

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of dental caries in a 6-year old population of University of Nigeria Primary School,Enugu. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study done by stratified random sampling method. SUBJECTS: A six-year old population size of 203 were studied. This age (6 years) is one of the ages recommended by WHO in the class of surveys. This study population is constituted by 5 out of 7 subclasses of grade one class of the school. MATERIALS AND METHODS MATERIALS: Natural light, wooden spatula, and disposable hand gloves METHODS: This study was carried out by clinically looking into the mouth under natural light. Those with visible caries were noted. RESULTS: At the time of this study in July,2011,out of the 203 subjects studied,56 subjects were diagnosed with dental caries. This is about 27.6% of the population studied. The mean dmft is about 0.80 which signifies low caries prevalence,that is 72.4% are caries-free. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the study done in 1990 with about 61.3% being caries-free,the prevalence of dental caries in this area is decreasing. This shows that our preventive measures are improving and it is encouraged that we should continue to improve in these preventive measures hoping that someday,it shall become a 99.1% caries-free population. We were also able to ‘catch them young' by giving good oral hygiene education and correcting bad oral habits like brushing before breakfast.