Caries, diet, dental knowledge and socioeconomic variables in a population of 15-year-old Israeli schoolchildren

Abstract

A population of 163 10th grade, 15 yr old students of a Jerusalem high school were surveyed for caries prevalence, cariogenic dietary habits, dental knowledge and socioeconomic variables. A mean level of 7.75 DMFT [decayed, missing, filled teeth] was found, confirming results of previous studies which indicate a general increase of caries prevalence in Israel over the past 2 decades. None of the independent variables measured constituted significant predictors of caries prevalence. However, father''s geographic origin, mother''s educational level and social class according to father''s occupation demonstrated significant associations with caries treatment levels as expressed by the FT [filled teeth] and DT [decayed teeth] components of the DMFT index.