Caries prevalence and caries experience (ICDAS II criteria) of 5-, 12- and 15-year-old Greek children in relation to socio-demographic risk indicators. Trends at the national level in a period of a decade.

To study the caries status of 5, 12 and 15-year-old Greek children, assess how disease parameters are related to socio-demographic indicators and identify relevant trends at the national level. A stratified cluster sample of 3702 children in total was randomly selected and examined clinically for caries (ICDAS II criteria). Caries experience was outlined by adapting ICDAS criteria to the d/D component of the WHO dmf/DMF index configuration. Percentages (%) of caries experience-free children, of children with initial caries (ICDAS), and the mean dt/DT, dmft/DMFT and dmfs/DMFS indices were calculated. The probability of presenting with dt/DT ≥ 1 was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis, whereas negative binomial regression models examined the effect of socio-demographic parameters on dmfs/DMFS indices (level of significance: p ≤ 0.05). 60.1%, 48.1%, and 34.7% of the 5, 12, and 15-year-old children, respectively, had no caries experience at the defect level (dmft/DMFT = 0). Initial lesions (ICDAS) were detected in 17.7%, 19.3% and 17.4% of the 5, 12 and 15-year-olds, accordingly. Mean dt/DT was 0.93, 1.70, and 2.51, whereas mean dmft/DMFT was 1.48, 1.61, and 2.46 for the 5, 12, and 15-year-olds, respectively. Children with higher educated parents and 15-year-old urban residents exhibited significantly less caries experience at the defect level. Initial caries lesions presented a significantly higher probability of being detected in urban-residing 5- and 15-year-olds, while no consistent trend could be identified for parental education level. Caries prevalence and experience levels declined for all age groups in ten years. Although the dental health of Greek children has improved disparities remain, calling for organised primary and secondary preventive interventions.