Dental Caries and PUFA Index in Children in Kano State, Nigeria

Oral diseases are still a major problem in most developing countries. Dental caries is one of the most common forms of oral diseases frequently resulting in loss of the affected teeth. Active caries is seen predominantly in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Within Nigeria, there remain areas where few or no studies have been done on the oral health status. Despite the fact that dental caries can be prevented and managed, it is still a major health problem, its manifestations persist throughout life in spite of treatment. There are practically no geographic areas in the world whose inhabitants do not exhibit some evidence of dental caries. It affects persons of both genders in all races, all socioeconomic strata and every age group. The objective is to assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries and PUFA index of school children (11 - 14 years old) in Ungogo Local Government, Kano state, Nigeria; evaluate the oral health practices pattern of the study population and to provide useful data for the planning of oral health services in this region.