Background: Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized it as a global problem among school-aged children. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of permanent tooth decay and social factors affecting it in 12-year-old school children in Khorramabad, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, a total of 321 students from Khorramabad participated. They were selected through a non-random and available sampling method. After completion of the checklist, all the participants were examined by a dentist. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 23), ANOVA, and statistical t-test tests.
Results: According to the findings, 153 (47.7%) of the participants were girls. The prevalence of dental caries was estimated at 67.1% in permanent dentition. The mean of Decay Missed Filled Teeth (DMFT) was measured at 2.12 ± 1.78. According to the results, most caries (59.8%) were related to the lower first molar. Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between boys and girls, the number of children in the family, mother's occupation, and parents' education level with children's DMFT.
Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries and the average DMFT in 12-year-old children of Khorramabad is higher than the goals set by the WHO, which indicates the need to prepare oral health education programs. Additionally, the most decay was observed in the first molar of the lower jaw. Therefore, it is necessary to inform parents about the importance of prevention and timely treatment of this tooth.