Caries Prevalence of Children in Or-Akiva and Um El Fahem

Objectives: To assess caries prevalence, treatment needs and percentage of caries-free in 5- and 12-year-old children in an Arab (Um El Fahem) and Jewish (Or-Akiva) cities of low socioeconomic level and to compare them with the most recent (2002) national data reported in Israel. Methods: A total of 303 children from Um El Fahem (n=153, 5-year-olds, n=150, 12-year-olds) and 176 children from Or-Akiva (n=85, 5-year-olds, n=91, 12-year-olds) were examined. One dentist carried out all examinations according to WHO guidelines. ANOVA and non-parametric correlations tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Caries prevalence in 5-year-olds (DMFT) from Um El Fahem and Or-Akiva was 5.49 and 5.23, respectively, statistically a non-significant difference. However, DMFT was significantly higher in 12-year-olds from Um El Fahem (3.18) compared to 12-year-olds from Or-Akiva (2.18) (p=0.005). Treatment needs in 5-year-olds from Um El Fahem and Or-Akiva were 5.04 and 4.45 procedures, respectively (13% more than in Or-Akiva), and in 12-year-olds, 1.87 and 1.39, respectively (43% more than in Or-Akiva). Caries free in 5-year-olds from Um El Fahem and Or-Akiva was 11.1% and 22.4%, respectively, and 20% and 24.2%, respectively, in 12-year-olds. Conclusions: In both cities, higher caries prevalence and less caries free children (46.1%) were found in 12-year-olds compared to the average data reported in Israel in 2002. These results reflect the disparities between children in low socioeconomic groups and the national data in higher caries experience, lower caries free percentage, and high unmet treatment needs with little regard to ethnic group.