CONDITION OF FIRST PERMANENT MOLARS AND LEVEL OF CARIOGENIC BACTERIA IN CHILDREN.

Objective: The first permanent molars are extremely influential dental structures in maxillofacial growth and development, and in the oral health status. Aim: was to assess the Prevalence of First Permanent Molar Caries Among 7-year old Children in Al-Qassim Province and its possible correlation with the different levels of cariogenic bacteria. Subjects & Methods: a cross sectional analytical study design. With a total of 243 children aged 7 year old selected from different schools randomly. Clinical examination of children was conducted to assess dental caries, and saliva was collected to assess S. mutans(SM) levels, lactobacilli (LB), salivary flow, and buffering capacity of saliva. Results: Prevalence of carious first permanent molars was high 153 (63%). No statistically significant difference revealed by chi-square test between carious first permanent molars and Ph. Statistical significant difference was found between carious first permanent molars and saliva buffer capacity. The relation between caries and SM, and LB levels was highly statistically significant at P