Prevalence and distribution of caries in the primary dentition in a cosmopolitan Saudi population

An epidemiological survey on dental caries was carried out to determine its prevalence and intraoral distribution pattern in Saudi children residing in leddah. A total of 3,318 children, aged 6-14 years, were examined from different geographical areas of the city. The results of this study showed that the mean dmft in this population was 2.16. The age-group 6-9 years showed the highest prevalence with the primary molars, especially the second primary molars, being mostly affected. There was intra- and inter-arch similarity in the susceptibility of each tooth type to decay. A larger proportion of mandibular primary molars examined were treated compared to the maxillary primary molars. The need for dental, educational and treatment program in schools is stressed