Adults' dental caries burden through the DMFT index: Tanzanian national pathfinder survey.

Background: Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease globally. The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index is a key metric in oral epidemiology to quantify the prevalence and severity of dental caries. This study aims to assess the dental caries burden among adults in mainland Tanzania using the DMFT index.

Methods: A national pathfinder survey was conducted using a cross-sectional design across 14 districts in 13 regions of mainland Tanzania. Site selection followed the World Health Organization's (WHO) basic oral health survey methods, employing a modified stratified-cluster sampling approach. Adult participants completed electronic questionnaires prior to clinical dental examinations. Questionnaires gathered sociodemographic data, self-rated dentition status, tooth brushing practices, whereas clinical dental examination assessed dental caries status using the DMFT criteria. All data collection and dental examinations adhered to WHO standard criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Frequencies were calculated to determine the proportions of participants' mean DMFT components. Bivariate associations were analysed using Mann Whitney U-test and Kruskal Wallis to compare DMFT components with sociodemographic characteristics and self-rated dentition status, whereas logistic regression was utilised for multivariate analysis.

Results: The survey included 1,386 participants aged 30-34, 35-44, and 50+, with 713 females (51.4%). Nearly half of the participants (49.1%) were aged 50 years or older. The mean DMFT score was 4.63 (SD 5.4), with 76.6% experiencing dental caries. The Missing teeth component accounted for the largest portion of the mean DMFT (52.4%), followed by the Decayed teeth component (45.8%). Only 3.5% of participants with dental caries had tooth fillings. Higher median DMFT scores were observed among females, participants aged 50 or more, with lowest education levels and poor self-rated dentition status. Increased DMFT scores were linked to brushing less than once daily (p < 0.05) and not using a toothbrush daily (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The high dental caries prevalence (76.6%) and sociodemographic disparities highlight the need for an integrated approach combining preventive measures, oral health promotion and improved access to dental services to address this challenge effectively in Tanzania.