Objective:This study is aimed to compare prevalence of caries in first permanent molars among children of different age groups(7-8 years & 10-11 years) and different socioeconomic levels.
Materials & Methods: It was a comparative; cross-sectional study based on an observation performa. Government and private schools of Rawalpindi were visited in 3 weeks and 390 students were examined with non-probability sampling technique. Sterilized examination instruments were used.
Results: Out of 390 students, 50% were from each age group (7.59 years & 10.2 years respectively being the mean ages) and 50% each from both low( from schools without fee) and high(2240Rs mean school fee) socioeconomic levels. 45.6% were males and 54.4% were female. Overall prevalence of caries was 57.9%. The difference between different age groups was significant but it was not significant in the two socioeconomic levels. Occlusal surface was the most affected of all other surfaces and mandibular first molars were slightly more affected than maxillary ones. Prevalence of caries was more in younger age group of lower class than elder age group which shows a dramatic increase in incidence of caries in this socioeconomic level. Its opposite in private sector.
Conclusion: prevalence of caries in first permanent molars is greater in elder age group of higher class than lower class but its opposite in younger age group. There is a dramatic and alarming increase in incidence of caries within past 3 years in lower class children which do not afford dental treatment.