Distribution of mutans streptococci among Nigerian school children.

A group of 504 Nigerian school children with an average age of 13 years were included in this study. The children attended 4 schools in the Jos area, Plateau State, and Toro Local Government area of Bauchi State. Salivary levels of mutans streptococci in these children were estimated with the "Strip mutans" test. Mutans streptococci were found in 73% of the urban children and 65% of the rural ones. Compared to most known populations, the prevalence of mutans streptococci was relatively low (69%). On the other hand 45% of the children had high salivary levels of mutans streptococci (score 3, approximately > 10(6) per ml saliva).