Prevalence of tooth decay and related factors among primary school children in central–eastern Tunisia: A cross-sectional study

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Objectives We aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among primary school children in Tunisia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among children enrolled in primary schools in Sousse, Tunisia, in April 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used. A structured questionnaire and medical records were used to collect data. A multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with dental caries. Results In total, 376 children were included. The prevalence of dental caries was 43.9%. Based on a bivariate analysis, many factors were associated with dental caries, such as children from public schools ( p < 0.001), lack of tooth brushing ( p < 0.001), tooth brushing only 1 time per day ( p < 0.001), unhealthy eating habits ( p ≤ 0.05), and overweight body mass index ( p = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, risk factors for dental caries were age and eating after brushing in the evening, whereas protective factors included frequent tooth brushing and regular toothbrush replacement. Conclusions We recommend organizing awareness days in schools, implementing programs on preventive measures against dental caries, and expanding screening campaigns.

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