Dental caries prevalence among Dubai and Northern Emirates public schoolchildren: an epidemiological retrospective study (2015-2019)

Background
Oral health is a key public health priority in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), yet the effectiveness of the existing programmes is unclear due to limited standardised data.

Aim
To estimate schoolchildren caries prevalence across UAE over five academic years (2015–2019) and assess the associated factors.

Methods
Secondary data analysis from a national oral health screening, by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in government schools across six emirates. Students in Grade 1 (6–8 years old), Grade 7 (12–14 years old) and Grade 10 (15–17 years old) were screened between 2015 and 2019.

Results
A total of 131 451 students were screened. Overall caries prevalence was high at 60.9%, declining from 65.1% in 2015 to 49.19% in 2019 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.49–0.53, p < 0.001, compared to 2015). Prevalence was the lowest in Dubai (55.2%), and the highest in Fujairah (75.0%, OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 2.46–2.67, p < 0.001, compared to Dubai). Grade 1 students had the highest prevalence (70.5%), while both Grade 7 (55.1%; OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.49–0.52; p < 0.001, compared to Grade 1) and Grade 10 (57.9%; OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.56–0.59; p < 0.001, compared to Grade 1) were the lowest.

Conclusion
Dental caries remains highly prevalent among UAE schoolchildren, particularly in Fujairah and younger age groups. Standardised, integrated oral health policy and planning are instantly needed across the Emirates.