The Effect of Socioeconomic Level on Dental Caries among Preschool Children in Baghdad City

Background:Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most common oral problems. It may start early in life and if not treated may end with tooth loss. Oral health is influenced by the socioeconomic status in which the socialization of the child takes place.

Aim of the Study:The survey was made to investigate the effect of socioeconomic status on dental caries of preschool children.

Subjects and Method:The total sample composed of 893 children aged (4-5) year selected randomly from different kindergartens in Baghdad governorate. WHO 2013 index was used for assessment of the dental caries experience and questionnaire was send to parents to assess their knowledge and behavior.

Results:Results showed that the prevalence of dental caries was 98% for the total sample, highly significant differences were seen between SES and dental caries experience dmfs of primary teeth, highly significant relation between SES and parents knowledge in all questions except questions concerning tooth decay and crowding of the permanent dentition was no significant while in behavior questions a highly significant relation was seen in all questions except questions concerning the type of bristle of the brush and preferable time for eating sweets was no significant . Conclusion: Preschool children in Baghdad were found to have a high prevalence of dental cariesSES effect on the dental condition. Hence this survey highlighted the need for children to dental health education programs and public and school preventive measures among those children.