Prevalence of mutans streptococci and dental caries in Pakistani children.

The caries status of two hundred and eighteen 12 year old school children from four schools of Karachi and Lahore was determined through a WHO pathfinder survey. In addition, the levels of mutans streptococci in the sample were estimated in order to define the proportion of children with high and low mutans levels. A mean DMFT of 1.82 (1.67-0.03-0.12), for decayed and filled teeth respectively; 42% were caries free. Four mutans streptococci; 22% had mutans class 0, 22% class 1, 31% class 2 and 25% class 3. The mean DMFT was respectively, 1.0 + 1.23, 0.98 + 1.52, 2.03 + 2.36 and 3.04 + 3.08. The difference was statistically significant. Twenty four children had 5 or more DMF all except two of them, belonging to mutans classes 2 or 3.