title: Prevalence of dental caries and risk assessment among primary school children of 6-12 years in the Varkala municipal area of Kerala.
abstract: This epidemiological survey attempted to establish the prevalence and severity of dental caries among primary school children of Varkala municipal area. The prevalence of dental caries was 68.5% with a standard error (SE) of 1.64% and 95%, confidence interval (CI) 65.18, 71.82. The highest caries prevalence was found among 10 year age group (75.9%) and lowest in the 8 year age group (63%). The highest dmft score was found in 9 year age group 2.73 +/- 0.443 and highest DMFT score was found in 12 year age group 2.06 +/- 0.3824. Statistically significant association was found with dental caries and oral hygiene status (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.59, 95% CI, 2.53, 5.06 and oral cleanliness OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.96, 3.82). Statistically significant association was found between low socioeconomic status and prevalence of caries (O.R. 1.89, 95% CI--1.28, 2.8).
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Retnakumari
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data