December 2010

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the caries free proportions, caries experience and restorative care received in Kuwaiti kindergarten schoolchildren. Methods A national epidemiologic survey of the 4- and 5-year-old kindergarten schoolchildren (n = 1,277) was conducted in the five governorates of Kuwait. Five trained and calibrated dentists examined the children. Dental caries was scored using WHO diagnostic criteria. Results The percentage of 4- and 5-year-old children with dft = 0 was 32% and 24% respectively. The corresponding mean dft/dfs for 4- and 5-year-olds were 3.7/6.9 and 4.8/9.6. The decayed score was the major component in the mean scores. There was a significant difference in caries experience by governorate, but no difference by gender. The restorative index for 4- and 5-year-olds was 9.4% and 14.1% respectively. Conclusions Caries levels are lower or similar to those in neighbouring and other Middle East countries. A high percentage of carious maxillary incisors indicate an early childhood caries pattern in these children. An extensive prevention programmme in preschool and kindergarten children is now in place. Key words: Dental caries, kindergarten schoolchildren, Kuwait