Evaluation of health status of first permanent molar teeth among 12-year-old students in rural areas of south of Kerman, Iran, 2016

BACKGROUND and AIM: First permanent molar (FPM) has an important role in occlusion and biting. FPM is susceptible to dental caries due to early growth. The objective of this study was an evaluation of oral health status of FPM in terms of decayed/missing/filled teeth 6 (DMFT6) among 12-year-old children in rural areas of southern cities in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: This analytical/cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 on 564, 12-year-old students (281 girls and 283 boys). Students were randomly selected from 32 different villages of southern cities of Kerman. The DMFT index was determined using the standard method suggested by World Health Organization (WHO). The trained dentist recorded data of DMFT index and oral health status in checklist form. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The frequency of FPM dental caries of students was 53.12-66.04%. There was no significant difference in mean of DMFT6 among students in rural areas of 7 cities in the south of Kerman, but it was greatest in Ghaleganj (2.60) and lowest in Jiroft (1.97), respectively. Girls had more carries than boys (DMFT6 2.43 vs. 2.13) but it was not significant (P = 0.08). There was a little amount of sealant or filled FPM (0.58%). 26.24% of students had a toothbrush. 19.14% of them brushed their teeth equal or more than once daily and 37.41% of them knew that the first molar is a permanent tooth. CONCLUSION: Study showed a high rate of caries in FPMs in 12-year-old children and poor knowledge and performance in relation to these teeth. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to provide health, educational and dental treatment services for villages in the south of Kerman province, Iran.