Caries assessment in Egyptian adolescents concerning some epidemiological factors

Abstract
Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease, prevention of which requires a comprehensive understanding of these factors and their population impact.
Aim: to assess dental caries prevalence in Egyptian adolescents concerning some epidemiological factors.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 1416 Egyptian adolescents (12-19 years old) from Cairo, Delta, and Upper Egypt governments. The personal and sociodemographic variables were obtained through a questionnaire. The clinical assessment of caries prevalence and DMFT indices were calculated, tabulated, and statistically analyzed.
Results: The Upper Egypt adolescents showed the lowest prevalence index (48.87 %) and DMFT scores (1.31) than that of Cairo [86.67% & 4.68] and Delta [77.13 % & 3.28] adolescents respectively. However, the girls showed relative lower prevalence and relative higher DMFT indices [71.34 % & 3.17] than boys [71.84 % & 2.95]. The prevalence and DMFT indices of Egyptian adolescents were 71.61 % and 3.05 respectively. Also, it was found that Dental caries in adolescents was directly proportional to age, systemic disease affection, frequency of carbohydrate intake, and the increase in family income and increase of education level at this stage of life. While it was inversely proportional to the improvement of personal career, self-satisfaction, and teeth brushing practice.
Conclusion: Egyptian adolescents have a relatively high-caries prevalence and DMFT indices scores especially in civilized areas so they need more efforts and intensive dental health programs to care for their oral health.