Caries prevalence in a 7- to 15-year-old Albanian schoolchildren population.

The aim of this study was to determine the caries prevalence in urban and suburban Albanian schools. A large sample (n= 2617) of subjects, aged 7-15, was examined by a clinical observation without radiograms. The sample comprised 1257 males and 1360 females. For each subject an anamnestic questionnaire about feeding, fluoride, dentist attendance and familiar informations was obtained. Gender and age differences were compared by Chi-square test. The total dmft index (decayed, missing and filled teeth in deciduous dentition) was 2.082; dmft in males was 2.137, in females was 2.032. The total DMFT index (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth in permanent dentition) was 2.327; DMFT in males was 2.253, in females was 2.396. Decayed teeth was principal component of both dmft and the DMFT index. Caries prevalence results higher in girls than boys in deciduous and in permanent teeth.