Abstract
Knowledge of the prevalence of oral diseases, including dental caries, is essential to plan for prevention and treatment prevent of these diseases.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate DMFT in 12- years-old students from all 12 secondary schools in Zarand City, Iran in 2011.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study performed using interview, examination and questionnaire. Cluster sampling was used among a sample of 350 12- year- old students. One examiner carried out the study in the schools using WHO (1997) criteria and methods to assess periodontal condition, number of decayed, missed and filled teeth, existing fluorosis, occlusion, and need for orthodontic and preventive treatment. The data were analyzed by SPSS software Version 17. Ethics approval for the study was given by the ethics committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.
Results: The mean of DMFT index was 2.03. It ranged from zero for 121 students (34.6%) to a maximum of 11 in two students. There was no significant difference in need for orthodontic treatment between different groups of DMFT. Conclusion: In terms of the WHO target for 12-year-olds , the DMFT index for the sample assessed in Zarand city was not acceptable as it did not meet WHO target for 12- yearolds. It was decided that it was necessary to perform a special program in the schools to try to improve the situation.
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