A comparative study on dental caries incidence of the first permanent molars between two age groups children in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

Background: Oral health has a key role in the public health and well-being, dental caries is the most common oral disease in the world. The first permanent molar (FPMs) has been introduced as an index for predicting caries activity. Aim: to compare the dental caries incidences of FPMs among two age group’s children in Benghazi city, Libya. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted of 375 children aged 6-12 years. The sample was divided into two groups according their ages, Group A, which included 150 children with age ranging between 6 to 8 years old. While group B which involved 225 children with age ranged from 9 to 12 years old. The diagnosis of caries was based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS, version 16 and Chi-square test was used. Results: In group A, the frequency of carious FPMs were (186 teeth; 12.4%), whereas sounds were (414 teeth; 27.6%). However in group B, the frequency of sound FPMs were (411 teeth; 27.4%), while carious were (489 teeth; 32.6%). A significant difference was found between the two age groups regarding caries incidence (P