Prevalence and Severity of Dental Caries in 12-Year-Old Turkish Children and Related Factors

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, severity, and some factors related to dental caries in 12-year-old children in Turkey.
A representative study population (covered 250 clusters) was chosen by the Turkish Statistical Institute using the proportional stratified cluster sampling method. The sample consisted of 1611 subjects. Data were collected via clinical examination and a questionnaire. Twenty-seven calibrated examiners recorded caries according to WHO criteria (1997) during home visits. The significance of the differences was tested by Chi-square, ANOVA, and logistic regression analysis.
The prevalence of caries was 61.1%. Children living in urban areas had significantly higher prevalence of filled teeth. The mean of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) was 1.9 ± 2.2 and no difference by sex and residence was observed. The decayed component of the DMFT was the major contributor. The Significant Caries Index (SiC) was 4.33. Half of the children claimed to brush their teeth once or more per day. Girls brushed their teeth more frequently. The percentage of “never visited dentist” was 41.4%. Frequency of tooth brushing was the only significant independent variable determining caries occurrence.
In conclusion, the only meaningful significant independent variable was tooth brushing, which was found to be associated with caries frequency among Turkish 12-year-olds.