S. M. Hashim Nainar, B.D.S., M.D. Sc. Amjad H. Wyne, B.D.S., B.Sc, M.D.S.
College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine caries pattern in the primary teeth of a select sample of high caries pre-school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Forty-six children, six years of age and under, and with dmft >, 8, were selected from the dental records of the undergraduate clinics at King Saud University, College of Dentistry. Caries prevalence was recorded based on clinical and radiographic (bitewing) data. Frequency distribution, chi-square test and odds ratio computations were made. The sample consisted of 26 males and 20 females ranging in age from four to six years. Mean age of the sample was 4.8 years (S.D. + 0.7 years) and mean dmft was 12.0 {S.D. ± 2.8). Nine out of ten children had both maxillary incisor caries as well as posterior tooth caries. First and second molars were the teeth most susceptible to caries. Caries prevalence was bilateral (p < 0.0001). being both tooth-specific as well as posterior interproximal surface-specific Bitewing radiographs showed highest caries prevalence on the distal surface and lowest prevalence on the mesial surface of mandibular first molars. Contiguous surfaces of first and second molars showed similar caries experience {p < 0.0001) on bitewing radiographs. These results demonstrated that the caries pattern in this select sample of high caries pre-school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was predominantly of maxillary incisor caries type with posterior decay. Bitewing radiographs demonstrated posterior interproximal decay in these children reflecting the pattern of development of proximal contacts and physiologic (primate) spacing.

Saudi Dental Journal 1998;10(2):80-85.