Dental Caries Prevalence Among Schoolchildren in Urban and Rural Areas of Qom Province, Central Part of Iran Publisher



Khazaei M¹ ; Mahvil AH^{2, 3} ; Fard RF⁴ ; Izanloo H⁴ ; Yavari Z⁵ ; Tashayoei HR⁶
Source: Middle East Journal of Scientific Research Published:2013

Abstract

Dental caries among 12 years old schoolchildren and some caries-related risk factors in Qom province, central part of Iran, were investigated. 440 students from urban and rural areas were visited to indicate the DMFT index. Caries-associated factors such as routine toothbrushing, tea drinking, fluoride in drinking water and socioeconomically status were considered. DMFT values were determined 2.19±0.26 and 2.69±0.17 for urban and rural areas, respectively. In urban community, DMFT values reported 2.43±0.21 and 1.95±0.12 for male and female, respectively. Also for rural communities, DMFT values were calculated 2.79±0.3 and 2.60±0.18 for male and female, respectively. Results revealed the routine toothbrushing has the most significant effect on decreasing dental caries (R2=0.98, p<0.01). For all communities, weak relationships were obtained between fluoride concentration of drinking water sources and DMFT values (0>p.05). Toothbrushing should be considered as a routine educational program in primary schools especially in rural regions. Also, a supporting program enforced by government comprises the financial aspects, may be helpful to decrease the DMFT index of schoolchildren in urban and rural areas. © IDOSI Publications, 2013.