Survey on the condition of first permanent molars in 15-year-old students in Ahwaz, Iran in 2005

Background and aims. Many children still face active and uncontrolled dental caries and data is needed for evaluating the situation in many parts of the country. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the oral health of the young population of Ahwaz, Iran in 2005. Materials and methods. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 600 15-year-old students were selected randomly. Data was gathered with clinical examination and a questionnaire, collecting data of DMFT of first permanent molars, OHI-S, oral hygiene and nutrition habits, and parents’ education. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and t-test. Results. Mean DMFT of first permanent molars was 1.84 ± 1.54, with a higher value seen among girls. Mean decayed teeth component was 1.56, followed by filled (0.17) and missing (0.1) components. Higher DMFT values were significantly associated with poor OHI-S score (P = 0.001). Conclusion. The observed oral hygiene status among the 15-year-olds necessitates implementing preventive as well as restorative measures to improve the oral health status of the young population.