Arthi Veerasamy|Ray Kirk|Jeffrey Gage
Epidemiology of dental caries among adolescents in Tamil Nadu, India
University of Canterbury|University of Canterbury|University of Canterbury
objective economic dietary changes indian state tamil nadu led compromised oral health status adolescent population adequate epidemiological data available address prevention treatment needs region india aim study measure prevalence severity dental caries among adolescents tamil nadu southern state india methods study sample included 974 adolescent school students 1215 years age rural urban areas tamil nadu india decayed missing filled teeth dmft index students measured using world health organization oral health survey method quantitative crosssectional study results oral health survey indicated prevalence dental caries among adolescents rural urban areas tamil nadu 614 average dmft score 203 multiple regression analyses indicated factors gender mothers education type school caste significant predictors dental caries conclusion female gender scheduled caste tribes attending public schools rural areas identified vulnerable populations affected dental caries oral health policies targeted adolescent populations tamil nadu region