Volume 36, Issue 260 (9-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(260): 151-159 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Nahvi A, Yaghoubian Z, Mollaei M, Maleki F, Fendereski A, Salehi M. Investigation of the Prevalence of Occlusal Caries and Related Clinical Factors in Partially Erupted First Permanent Molars Among 6- and 7-Year-Old Children in Sari, Iran, 2024-2025. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026; 36 (260) :151-159
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22687-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22687-en.html
Azam Nahvi 
, Zahra Yaghoubian , Melika Mollaei , Fatemeh Maleki , Afsaneh Fendereski , Maedeh Salehi
, Zahra Yaghoubian , Melika Mollaei , Fatemeh Maleki , Afsaneh Fendereski , Maedeh Salehi
Abstract: (17 Views)
Background and purpose: The permanent first molar, as the first permanent tooth to erupt, is highly susceptible to occlusal caries due to incomplete contact with the opposing tooth, complex anatomy, and difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of occlusal caries in partially erupted permanent first molars among 6- and 7-year-old children in Sari, Iran.
Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted during 2024-2025 among 329 children aged 6-7 years who had at least one partially erupted permanent first molar. Participants were selected from primary schools in Sari using cluster and convenience sampling methods. After obtaining written informed consent from the parents, clinical examinations were performed by a trained dental student using a dental mirror and probe under adequate lighting conditions. Occlusal caries was assessed according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Oral hygiene status was evaluated using the Simplified Debris Index (S-DI), and dental caries experience was recorded using the dmft/DMFT indices. The data were analysed using SPSS software, version 27, at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of occlusal caries in partially erupted permanent first molars was 40.1%. Caries was significantly more prevalent among girls, 7-year-old children, students attending public schools, and students enrolled in schools located in District 1. Furthermore, higher dmft scores and poorer oral hygiene status, indicated by higher S-DI scores, were significantly associated with higher odds of occlusal caries (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of occlusal caries in partially erupted permanent first molars among children in Sari. Several factors, including sex, age, school type, and oral hygiene status, were associated with the occurrence of caries. These findings highlight the importance of implementing preventive oral health programs, particularly in public schools and socioeconomically disadvantaged settings.
Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted during 2024-2025 among 329 children aged 6-7 years who had at least one partially erupted permanent first molar. Participants were selected from primary schools in Sari using cluster and convenience sampling methods. After obtaining written informed consent from the parents, clinical examinations were performed by a trained dental student using a dental mirror and probe under adequate lighting conditions. Occlusal caries was assessed according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Oral hygiene status was evaluated using the Simplified Debris Index (S-DI), and dental caries experience was recorded using the dmft/DMFT indices. The data were analysed using SPSS software, version 27, at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of occlusal caries in partially erupted permanent first molars was 40.1%. Caries was significantly more prevalent among girls, 7-year-old children, students attending public schools, and students enrolled in schools located in District 1. Furthermore, higher dmft scores and poorer oral hygiene status, indicated by higher S-DI scores, were significantly associated with higher odds of occlusal caries (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of occlusal caries in partially erupted permanent first molars among children in Sari. Several factors, including sex, age, school type, and oral hygiene status, were associated with the occurrence of caries. These findings highlight the importance of implementing preventive oral health programs, particularly in public schools and socioeconomically disadvantaged settings.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Dentistry
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Articles Copyright © The Author(s). Owned by Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.
Contact Us
Address: Journal Office, Building No. 2, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Moallem Square, Sari.Tel: +98 (011)34484874 Postal code: 48175-866 E-Mail: jmums@mazums.ac.ir Telefax: +98 (011)33262679
