Dental caries in the permanent teeth of the people of Gulbarga, Karnataka.

In a sample of 2,096 randomly selected individuals of both sexes (male, 1,097., female, 999) in Gulbarga, Karnataka, dental caries was observed in about 20% individuals. The inter-sex difference in the prevalence of caries was statistically insignificant. People of the upper income group (23.2%) were affected more than the middle (20.0%) and lower income groups (17.0%). Christians (23.4%) were affected more than Hindus (20.0%) and Muslims (15.8%). Nearly one-third affected cases were in the age group 20-24 years. First molars of either jaw were more often affected than second and third molars. Mandibular first molars were affected maximum, followed by mandibular second, maxillary first and maxillary second molars. A toothwise study of caries-attack, by age, revealed increase in the frequency of carious teeth with increasing age.