Prevalence of streptococcus mutans and dental decay in school children from Siena (Italy)

Abstract
Epidemiological indexes of dental decay and prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque were studied in a group of 255 schoolchildren aged 6–11 from a suburban area near Siena (Italy). Mutans streptococci were isolated from 17.4% of subjects: a significant correlation with dental decay indexes and with the presence of active caries was observed.