A Clinical Study to Determine the Prevalence and severity of Dental Caries among Patients Attending the Department of Oral Medicine at Latakia University

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial, biofilm-mediated disease influenced by microbial activity and several host- and behavior-related factors, including dietary habits, tooth structure, and salivary characteristics. It results in the progressive destruction of the hard dental tissues.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries among patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine by assessing the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and to investigate the association between dental caries and selected risk factors.

Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited from patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine who met the predefined inclusion criteria. Individuals aged 18–45 years who provided written informed consent were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing demographic information, followed by a clinical examination to assess the DMFT index. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results: The prevalence of dental caries among the participants was 72.72%. The mean DMFT score was 5.91 ± 5.56 (95% confidence level). Statistically significant associations were observed between dental caries and both the frequency of sweet consumption (P = 0.004) and the time since the last dental visit (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The study results demonstrated a high prevalence of dental caries among the patients attending the department. A statistically significant association was also observed between caries risk and both the frequency of sugar consumption and the timing of the last dental visit, whereas no statistically significant association was found with oral health care practices.