Prevalence of Dental Caries and Traumatic Dental Injuries among 6- to 12-year-old Children in Bhopal City, India

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries and trauma are the most common oral health problems for many decades. There is need for prevalence data to analyze the nature of the problems and to take necessary steps in improving public health. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dental caries and traumatic dental injuries among schoolchildren of age 6 to 12 years in Bhopal city. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design was selected. Universal sampling method was followed in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,204 children were examined. The distribution of samples was done based on age, gender, residing area, and type of school. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were collected and statistically evaluated under chi-square test and analysis of variance. RESULTS: The overall caries experience (73.17%) was found to be higher than that of traumatic injury experience (20.9%). There was age-related correlation between age and decay, missing, and filled teeth score. CONCLUSION: Since most injuries occur at home or at school, educating the individual is the key that will have a great impact on the prognosis of traumatic injuries. Also good food habits need to be instilled in children from a tender age with the help of parents, which is the ultimate solution to fight caries. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Maran S, Shashikiran ND, Ahirwar P, Maran P, Kannojiya PR, Niranjan B. Prevalence of Dental Caries and Traumatic Dental Injuries among 6- to 12-year-old Children in Bhopal City, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017; 10(2): 172-176.