Assessment of Dental Caries among Adolescents in Private Educational Institutions of Kabul City.

OBJECTIVE: Dental caries continues to be a significant public health concern, particularly prevalent during adolescence. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries among adolescents aged 10 to 18 years attending two different types of private schools in Kabul City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 381 school-going adolescents. Data was collected through pre-structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, while oral examinations were conducted by an experienced dentist. Both primary and permanent dentitions were assessed for decayed, missing, and filled teeth. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 14.6 ± 2.13 years, predominantly boys, as girls above grade six are not permitted to attend school in Afghanistan. The prevalence of dental caries was high (70.1%) and decreased with increasing age (p = 0.004), number of siblings (p < 0.001), and better tooth-brushing habits (p = 0.025). The mean DMFT score was 2.40 ± 2.45. Overall, 45.4% of students had good oral hygiene, 11.3% had poor oral hygiene, and 46.7% presented with dental calculus. Both dental calculus and oral hygiene were significantly associated with tooth-brushing habits and use of dental cleansing agents (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study highlights a high prevalence of dental caries among students aged 10-18 years at private schools in Kabul, varying by school type. Factors such as age and tooth brushing habits significantly influence dental health, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted oral health education and interventions.