ECC is still a major public health issue in many countries and societies, especially among immigrants or ethnical minorities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ECC among infants in a semi-nomadic Bedouin community in the district of East-Jerusalem. This community experienced several cultural and political changes in the last decades, and is still under transition. Objectives: (1) To describe caries distribution among 12-36 months old children in the Al-Jahalin Bedouins in the district of Jerusalem. (2) To seek possible associations with feeding habits, parents' education level, oral health care practices and other possible related factors. Methods: A cross- sectional survey among 102 children, aged 12 to 36 months. Clinical visual examinations were held at the community site, and structured questionnaire was completed by interview of parents. Results: 18 of the 102 children (17.6%) had caries, with mean deft of 4.3. Breast-feeding was reported by 97 (95 %) of the children. Caries was significantly associated with the older age group, larger families, and mother's educational level. No statistically significant relationship was observed with breast-feeding. Conclusions: The prevalence of ECC in this community is in accordance with the rates found in other studies among Bedouin children in other regions, and is higher compared to that of the general population in Israel and world-wide. The lack of fluoridated water, the scarceness of teeth brushing and the high rates of ECC among the Al-Jahalin Bedouins suggest that prevention efforts, especially the use of fluoridated tootpaste should be introduced and encouraged from the age of 12 months. The findings of this study are important in establishing baseline data and for designing prevention programs in this special community.