Prevalence and Clinical Risk Factors of Dental Caries among Syrian Children Aged 6–12 Years (A Cross-Sectional Study)

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and the potential Risk factors among schoolchildren aged 6–12 years in Damascus, Syria.

Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional and was conducted between September 2023 and June 2024; the sample consisted of 872 children selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The DMFT/dmft index was used to determine dental caries,while additional information on socioeconomic status and oral health practices was collected throu  gh a structured questionnaire.

 Results :Data analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The overall prevalence of dental caries was (84%), and males had a slightly higher prevalence rate (85%) compared to females (83%), and the mean DMFT/dmft score was 2.04 ±1.64/3.03 ±2.47, respectively. Caries prevalence was significantly associated with the type of school attended, socioeconomic status, and parental education,additionally, the frequency of tooth brushing. It was found that caries experience remains high in the children in Damascus, with many associated factors including their sociodemographic factors and oral behaviors. 

Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries was significantly associated with the type of school attended, socioeconomic status, parental employment, and tooth brushing practices. The findings indicate that dental caries remains highly prevalent among children in Damascus, with multiple contributing factors, including socio demographic characteristics and oral health behaviors.