Caries Prevalence of the First Permanent Molars and Treatment Needs in Children Aged 7-13 Years in the Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Authors : Esra Öz

Pages : 65-76

Doi:10.51122/neudentj.2025.142

View : 27 | Download : 27

Publication Date : 2025-04-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study aimed to determine the caries prevalence of the first permanent molars and treatment needs in children aged 7-13 years living in the Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Material and Methods: The study included 1912 patients aged between 7 and 13 years who attended to the Pedodontics Clinic for dental reasons and required panoramic radiographs. The number of sound, decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth (T) in the first permanent molars of the patients were evaluated.The relationships of these values with gender, age, age groups, and location were analyzed.First permanent molars needing treatment were grouped according to the treatments needed. Results: The mean age of 1912 patients (977 females, 935 males) was 9.60±1.93 years. The caries prevalence in the first permanent molars was 26.8% and the mean DMFT6 value was 1.53±1.54. There was no difference between mean DMFT6 values and gender (p>0.05), but mean DMFT6 values increased statistically significantly with increasing age (p<0.001). While the mean D, M, F, and DMF values of the first permanent molars were higher in the mandibular teeth (p<0.001), there was no statistically significant difference between the right and left jaws (p>0.05). Of the first permanent molars, 19.6% needed single-surface restoration, 2.2% needed two-surface restoration, 0.2% needed ≥three-surface restoration, 4.5% needed endodontic treatment, and 0.4% needed extraction treatment. Conclusion: To protect first permanent molars from caries, families and children should be made aware of oral care, and preventive practices should be carried out by determining the caries risk status of individuals.
Keywords : çocuk, diş çürüğü, birinci büyük azı dişi, prevalans