AU - Amith, H AU - D'Cruz, Audrey TI - Prevalence of Dental caries amongst 12-15 years old school going children in Warananagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra PT - ARTI DP - 2011 Nov 1 TA - Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry PG - 887-890 VI - 9 IP - 18 4099- https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2011;volume=9;issue=18;spage=887;epage=890;aulast=Amith;type=0 4100- https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2011;volume=9;issue=18;spage=887;epage=890;aulast=Amith AB - Objectives: (i) To determine the prevalence of dental caries amongst 12-15 years old school going children of Warananagar, Kolhapur. ii) To assess the oral hygiene practices of 12-15 years old school going children of Warananagar, Kolhapur. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 594 school going children (368 males and 226 females) aged 12-15 years, from Warananagar, Kolhapur. The children were interviewed and data on their oral hygiene practices were recorded. This was followed by a clinical oral examination to record DMFT/DMFS index using standardized procedures. Results: The overall dental caries prevalence was 64.98%, with a mean DMFT of 1.92 and DMFS of 2.85. Decayed component formed the majority of the caries index. Only 61.95% of the subjects used toothbrush to clean their teeth. Rest of them used their fingers. Only 38.72% of the children brushed their teeth twice a day. 79.12% used tooth paste, 20.37% used tooth powder. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that dental caries is prevalent in considerable percentage of the 12-15 years old school going children of Warananagar. This population requires school dental programs with emphasis on oral hygiene practices and to increase awareness and knowledge of teachers, parents and care givers regarding oral health.