Caries Disease and Health Care Needs of 11–13-Year-Old School Children in the Lemba Commune of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Objective: Determine the prevalence of caries pathology and identify the dental care needs of 11–13-year-old school children in the commune of Lemba in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from September 2O21 to February 2022, in the senior classes of elementary school in the commune of Lemba. Informed parental consent was obtained. A survey questionnaire was submitted to each pupil, in addition to a systematic clinical examination that collected socio-demographic data, eating and oral hygiene habits, tooth condition, dentofacial anomalies and dental care needs. Results: A total of 353 students were recruited, 179 or 51% male and 174 or 49% female. With an average age of 11.26 (± 1.54) years, an average weight of 37.56 (± 8.48) kg and an average height of 146.31 (± 9.83) cm. Oral hygiene was excellent in 47.5% and 83.8% had non-inflammatory gingival condition. The prevalence of carious pathology was 75.9% for temporary teeth and 36.5% for permanent teeth, with a caod/CAOD index of 0.9 and 1.2 respectively. 70.9% of children required at least one tooth extraction in temporary dentition, and 17.7% needed at least one filling. In permanent dentition, at least one tooth extraction was essential for 31.8% of children, at least one filling was indicated for 39.5%, and for 9.9% of the sample, another anti-caries treatment was identified. Conclusion: The frequency of caries pathology was high, with significant exposure to risk factors, and the need for care remained immense.