title: The prevalence and severity of dental caries in Chad: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries among a cross section of a sample from different locations in Chad as part of a general assessment of their oral health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive survey of a nationwide sample included volunteers, 10 years or older, for a total of 1,011 participants. The survey consisted of a brief interview followed by a 1-2 minute oral examination of each subject.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the participants was 29.61 ±12.59 years and the total mean value for Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth (DMFT)=1.96 ±1.78. Females had a higher mean DMFT (2.72 ±1.88); decayed (2.82 ±1.07); missing teeth (1.81 ±1.14) than males (1.61 ±1.60): decayed (2.11 ±1.09); missing (1.45 ±0.89, respectively; all p<0.001). The older group (>30 years) had higher DMFT (2.79 ±1.93) than the younger group (d"30 years; p<0.001). Urban area showed lower DMFT (1.81 ±1.68) than rural areas (2.31 ±1.95).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, the prevalence of dental caries is very low which is similar to the most of the African Saharan and sub-Saharan countries. However, there is need to establish caries control programs to prevent tooth decay in the future and help people maintain lifelong dental health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, USA.
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Natto
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Niccola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002596:Chad / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult