Caries Epidemiology and Its Challenges.

Abstract

Despite their limitations, caries epidemiology continues to rely predominantly on visual/tactile indices for detecting and assessing carious lesion-related conditions. Over the last 4 to 5 decades, the prevalence and severity of dental caries in primary and permanent dentitions have been reduced in a number of countries based on the published studies. Despite this achievement, the prevalence and severity of dental caries remains too high at a world level. Pits and fissures in occlusal surfaces of first molars and pits in buccal surfaces of lower first molars are most vulnerable for developing a carious lesion. Dental caries is a preventable, behavioural/life-style disease that is age related and life-long. Preventing dental caries should start at mother-and-child clinics in conjunction with the available educational and health care programmes. Oral health (caries) epidemiological surveys should be held periodically.