title: Survey on the Condition of First Permanent Molars in 15-year-old Students in Ahwaz, Iran in 2005.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many children still face active and uncontrolled dental caries and data is needed for evaluating the situation in many parts of the country. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the oral health of the young population of Ahwaz, Iran in 2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 600 15-year-old students were se-lected randomly. Data was gathered with clinical examination and a questionnaire, collecting data of DMFT of first permanent molars, OHI-S, oral hygiene and nutrition habits, and parents' education. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean DMFT of first permanent molars was 1.84 ± 1.54, with a higher value seen among girls. Mean decayed teeth component was 1.56, followed by filled (0.17) and missing (0.1) components. Higher DMFT values were significantly associated with poor OHI-S score (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed oral hygiene status among the 15-year-olds necessitates implementing pre-ventive as well as restorative measures to improve the oral health status of the young population.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics, Dental School, Ahwaz Jundishapour University of Medical Science, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bassir
authors.forename: Mashallah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khanehmasjedi
keywords: DMFT; OHI-S; first permanent molar