Status of dental caries among 4-9 year-old children attending dental clinic in a military hospital in Tabuk, KSA

This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and determinants of dmft in a sample of 4-9 year-old children attending military hospital in Tabuk Saudi Arabia. Three hundred forty-four children and their respective parents were selected. Four consultant pediatric dentists trained to ensure reliability in the diagnosis using the World Health Organization criteria for diagnosis of caries carried out the examination. Parents completed a questionnaire on dental history, patterns of attendance, oral hygiene practice and demographic data. The dmft (6.6) for the children was high, but consistent with other studies in the Gulf Community. Oral hygiene, family size and mother’s education were significantly associated with the disease. The majority of patients (92.3%) attended the dental clinic without prior appointment and the major complaints were pain, swelling, dental decay or mobility. This placed constant pressure on emergency dental services at the expense of resources needed for comprehensive dental services to address the high untreated caries in the population. To break this cycle, planners of dental services should maintain focus and develop significant strategy for preventive dental services to improve the future quality of oral health and life in the region.