Prevalence and Comparison of Dental Caries of 6 to 12 Years Age in Government and Private School Children of Peshawar City, Pakistan

Background: Dental caries remains a significant public health issue globally, affecting both developed and developing nations. Studies have shown varying prevalence rates based on geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors, particularly among school-aged children. The city of Peshawar, with its diverse population, provides a unique setting to study these variables in relation to oral health outcomes among children. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries among school children aged 6 to 12 years in Peshawar, Pakistan, and to compare the rates between students from government and private schools. Additionally, the study sought to explore the association of dental caries with dietary habits, particularly the consumption of sweets, chocolates, and candies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 376 school children from both government and private schools in Peshawar. Participants underwent detailed oral examinations to assess for dental caries, and data on their dietary habits were collected through questionnaires. Informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians according to the Declaration of Helsinki. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22 was used for data analysis, employing descriptive statistics to calculate frequencies, percentages, and mean values. Results: The overall prevalence of dental caries among the participants was 55.05%. Boys exhibited a slightly higher prevalence (53.2% in males compared to 62.7% in females). The consumption of sugary snacks was significantly associated with the presence of caries; 95.6% of carious children regularly consumed sweets, chocolates, or candies. There was no significant difference in caries prevalence between children from government (53.2%) and private schools (57.5%). Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of dental caries among school-aged children in Peshawar, which correlates strongly with sugar consumption but not with the type of school attended. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce sugar intake and improve oral hygiene among children.