Assessment of Dental Caries Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Primary School Children in Kano State

Dental caries remains the most prevalent chronic disease among children in developing nations, and its assessment in northern Nigerian school populations is critical for designing effective prevention programmes. This study assessed the prevalence of dental caries and its associated risk factors among primary school children aged 6 to 12 years in Kano Municipal and Nassarawa Local Government Areas, Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 children selected through multistage random sampling. Clinical oral examinations were performed using the DMFT index under standardised conditions, and a structured questionnaire administered to parents or guardians collected data on dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, fluoride exposure, and socioeconomic status. Results showed an overall DMFT of 1.84, with a caries prevalence of 52.3 percent. Children consuming sugar-sweetened beverages more than three times daily had significantly higher caries rates (p < 0.01). Only 41.5 percent of children brushed twice daily, and less than 10 percent used fluoridated toothpaste. Children from lower socioeconomic households showed significantly higher caries severity. Female children showed slightly lower DMFT scores than males, though the difference was not statistically significant. The study concludes that dental caries is widespread and is strongly associated with dietary sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene practices. Recommendations include school-based oral health education programmes, fluoride varnish application at primary healthcare centres, and restriction of sugar-sweetened beverages in school canteens across Kano State. Keywords: dental caries, DMFT index, primary school children, Kano State, oral hygiene