Assessment of Dental Caries Experience and Treatment Needs Among 12 and 15-Year-Old Schoolchildren in Government and Private Schools of Bhopal City

Background: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among school-aged children. Monitoring caries prevalence and treatment needs at key WHO index ages (12 and 15 years) provides valuable insight for public health planning. The study was aimed to assess and compare the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among 12- and 15-year-old children studying in government and private schools in Bhopal city.Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 3 months among 730 schoolchildren (12 and 15 years old) selected from government and private schools in Bhopal. Data collection included a visual-tactile dental examination using a dental explorer, based on WHO Dentition Status and Treatment Need criteria (2013).Results: The mean DMFT score was significantly higher in 15-year-olds (1.69) than in 12-year-olds (1.34) (p = 0.032), and in government school children (1.90) compared to private school children (1.20) (p = 0.001). Children brushing twice daily had significantly lower caries experience than those brushing occasionally or once daily (p = 0.005). Snack consumption between meals was positively associated with higher DMFT scores (p < 0.001). Restorative care was the most common treatment need (32.9%), followed by preventive care (26.0%), with government school students showing significantly higher treatment needs across categories.Conclusion: Regular school-based oral health programs, preventive education, and timely restorative care are essential to address these gaps and improve oral health outcomes among school-aged children in Bhopal.