Caries experience of the primary dentition among groups of Tanzanian urban preschool‐children

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Abstract
Five hundred and forty-six urban Tanzanian preschoolcholdren aged 5-7 were examined for dental caries in the primary dentition. Caries was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria (1977). The mean dft was 1.06 (1.76) for the whole sample and 62% of the children were caries free. Only three fillings were observed in the primary teeth, indicating a very low rate of conservative treatment in this population group. The results of this study call for both preventive and restorative care for this group. However, for these activities to be cost effective they will have to be focused on the 38% of children who have the experience of dental caries. Planning an appropriate oral care program for this risk group needs careful consideration within the Tanzanian context.