Dental caries among kindergarten children in relation to socioeconomic status in Al-Najaf Governorate-Iraq

الملخص EN

Background : Dental caries is the most common oral problem, although dental caries is not life threatening, it has a harmful effect on quality of life.

Socioeconomic factors were found to be strong predictors of the prevalence of oral diseases in children, likes family income, occupational prestige, and education.

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of socioeconomic factors on occurrence dental caries in their children.

Materials and methods: The sample consists of 550 kindergartens children aged between (4-5) years were selected randomly, girls and boys.

The kindergartens selection was randomly from different geographical areas in Al-Najaf governorate.

Information was taken from children's parents using questionnaire with the help of the kindergartens managers.

Examination of dental caries severity was performed according to the World Health Organization (1987).

Children were examined in a suitable room in their school.

Day light was used for illumination.

Results: High caries prevalence was recorded (84.7%); females had higher caries prevalence as compared to males.

Mean dmfs was (10.05±0.40) and ds value was the highest component.

Age differences were recorded for both indicators with no gender differences.

Secondary and high schools are the highest percentage of the education of the child’s parents and the differences were not significant regarding dental caries between parent factors.

Conclusion: Children in this study were in need of preventive programs that are to say in need of recall for regular visits and the prophylactic application of fluoride therapy and fissure sealant to prevent initiation of dental caries.