Dental caries prevalence and risk factors among 12 year: Suva,Fiji

Method: Oral examination of 12 year old children was carried out to record the DMFT/DMFS and plaque scores. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic, socioeconomic information and dietary and plaque control habits.

Result: There were altogether 120 children examined in this study, 51% were males and 49% were females. The mean DMFT for the 12 year olds was 2.1 (SD = 1.8) with 71% comprising of the decayed component The DMFS was 3.4 (SD=3.1) with 56% of these surfaces being decayed. Only 20% of the teeth and surfaces examined were filled. 84% of the (n=101) of the children had caries experience (DMFT/DMFS). There was a statistically significant difference in mean DMFT/DMFS of children attending government and non government schools with higher mean DMFT/DMFS present in non government schools (p<0.01).

Conclusion: There was difference in mean DMFT and DMFS of children attending government and non government schools and this was correlated with income levels of parents, consumption of cariogenic diet and plaque control habits. Irregular dental visits, poor oral hygiene and high proportion of unrestored carious teeth and dietary patterns still remain a challenge for Fiji.