Abstract:

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dental carries status revealed by detecting the Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT) index of 12 years aged students in the province of Tokat and to determine the relationship with some socio-demographic characteristics and habits related to oral health. Material and Method: This crosssectional study were included 30 clusters which consisted of 10 students of 12 years aged, from 26 primary schools in the province of Tokat by using cluster sampling method of proportioned to population. Data were collected visit to school students and questions for the socio-economic level, teeth brushing and eating habits were asked to participants and intra oral examinations were carried out. All participants were informed proper teeth brushing methods and caries effect of eating habits. DMFT index was calculated from the oral and dental examination data. Results: There was 126 male and 174 female of 300 students in the study. Mothers of children 70.0% of the secondary education level and below, 83.3% percent were housewives; of the fathers of the children 48.3% of secondary school education level and below, 35.3% officers, 33.0% worker and 31.7% was self-employed. DMFT index was found to be 3.33 (3.21 in girls, 3.50 in boys). DMFT index according to gender of the students was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). There was at least one decay in 82% of the students. The relationship between education level of the mother, profession of mother, number of the family members and decay were found statistically significant (p<0.05). Education level of the father, profession of father and social insurance was statistically insignificant with decay (p>0.05. Conclusions: As a result, both DMFT index and the percentage of decay were very high than Turkey average of 1.9, which was away of WHO goal that is 1.5 for 21th century. Preventive dentistry and health care services should be supported with educational programs including children and the people should be encouraged to visit dentist offices in every six months. This will contribute to decrease caries prevalence in our country

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