An Epidemiological Study Of Dental Caries And Its Treatment Needs In 5-And IS-year Old Children Of Panchkula

This cross-sectional study was carried out on of 854 school children, aged 5 and 15 years, randomly selected from rural and urban schools. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare the prevalence and severity of dental caris and its treatment needs among the school children residing in rural and urban areas of punchkula. (ii) evaluate the risk factors associated with dental cares. Dental cares and treatment needs were recorded and coded as indicated in the standard form of Oral Health Assessment by W.H.O.(1997). The data were subjected to SPSS, version 1.3 and statically analysed using chi test, t-test, F-test, ANOVA test. The mean dmft among 5 year old children in the rural area was 2.56+2.95 and in the urban area 2.01+3.00. The mean DMFT among 15 year old children in the rural area was 2.80+2.05 and in the urban area 2.28+2.63. To conclude although sweet consumption was almost similar in both areas, but dental cares was higher in the rural children.