Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine prevalence and severity of dental caries, treatment needs and human resources required, in a school population aged 6 to 12 years in province of Santiago.

Methodology:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven schools. A stratified random sample was selected by socioeconomic level, sex and age. 1333 school children were evaluated by two calibrated dentists (Kappa 0.94). WHO criteria were used for caries diagnosis. Data were statistically analyzed by nonparametric tests of Kruskal-Wallis and U Mann-Whitney, statistical significance value of 95% (p <0.05).

Results:

1333 patients fit the inclusion criteria. Caries prevalence was 24.5% for permanent teeth and 47.8% for primary teeth. DMFT index was 0.48, dmft index was 1.67. SiC was 1.45 for DMFT and 4.52 for dmft. A total of 167 and 689 hours of restorative treatment were required for permanent dentition and primary dentition, respectively.

Conclusions:

The prevalence and severity distribution of dental caries in school children aged 6 to 12 years in the Province of Santiago were lower than those recorded in the past, and lower than the rates proposed by the international organizations. To restore damaged founded in this sample 856 hours will be needed.

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