Prevalence of dental caries and Clinical sequel of untreated dental caries evaluated with PUFA index among school going children in the rural Mysuru Taluk, Karnataka

Abstract

In literature real time monitoring of dental caries in rural parts of India are lacking. This warrants periodic prevalence studies to plan and implement oral health programs. So the present study aims at evaluating the dental caries status among rural population in Mysuru Taluk, of Karnataka. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1800 children with recruited populations at varying age levels of three population groups 4-6, 8-10 and 12-14 years. Data regarding oral health status (DMFT, deft, PUFA, pufa) were collected by type-III clinical examinations. The collected data were administered statistically. In 8-10 years children permanent teeth caries prevalence was found to be 54.3% which increased to 67.8 % in12-14 years. Among 4-6 years children primary teeth caries prevalence was found to be 47.4% which increased to 73.2% in 8-10 years. Among 4-6 and 12-14 years children percentage prevalence of PUFA was 32.2% which increased to 52.3% in 8-10 years. No clinically significant variation was observed in Caries prevalence among gender. The study outcome revealed oral health condition in children of rural Mysuru was neglected. High prevalence of dental caries was observed among Children with low dental care utilization.