Dental caries is a major public health issue among schoolchildren, affecting their quality of life, academic performance and health. In 2023, Narathiwat's caries prevalence among 12-year-olds was 37.92%, higher than the national average of 29.63%. This study compares caries indices, including decayed teeth (dt), filled teeth (ft), decayed and filled teeth (dft), decayed teeth (DT), missing teeth (MT), filled teeth (FT), and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), as well as treatment needs among 6–12-year-olds in Narathiwat, focusing on urban-rural differences. This retrospective study analyzed data from 1,388 children using records from the Provincial Health Data Center. The Wilcoxon rank-sum, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square tests were used to analyze differences by sex, age, and area type. Females had higher DT and DMFT values than males (DT: 0.78±1.44 vs. 0.59±1.35, p = 0.001; DMFT: 0.96±1.72 vs. 0.71±1.56, p = 0.001). Significant differences in dt, dft, DT, FT, and DMFT were found by age and area, with urban children showing higher values. dft decreased and DMFT increased with age. Rural children had a higher demand for fluoride treatment (84.27% vs. 74.82%, p<; 0.001) and sealants (0.90±0.59 vs. 0.43±0.82, p < 0.001), while urban children required more scaling (16.37% vs. 2.56%, p < 0.001), fillings (1.45±1.91 vs. 0.17±0.91, p < 0.001), and extractions (3.26±3.86 vs. 0.31±1.62, p < 0.001). The dft index decreases with age, while DMFT increases. Rural children require more preventive care, while urban children need more treatment, highlighting the need for targeted oral health policies.

Authors:
Tum Boonrod, Thaksin University, Thailand
Witchada Simla, Thaksin University, Thailand
Huda Juma, Thaksin University, Thailand
Supawadee Suwanno, Thaksin University, Thailand
Supalak Kaeothong, Thaksin University, Thailand
Pornchai Chookaew, Thaksin University, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Huda Juma holds an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Thaksin University, Thailand, and a BPH in Community Public Health. Earned a Higher Diploma in Dental Public Health from Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Yala, Thailand

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