Dental caries in children from two Libyan cities with different levels of fluoride in their drinking water

The aims of this study were to (1) demonstrate the feasibility of collecting dental epidemiological data suitable for planning purposes in Libya and (2) record the caries prevalence in Benghazi so that, following an increase in the fluoride concentration of the drinking water, potential changes in dental caries prevalence could be assessed. Random sampling resulted in the examination of 833 six-year-old and 704 twelve-year-old children from Benghazi (0.8 mg/1 F-) and Jardinah (1.8 mg/1 F-). For both six- and twelve-year-old children the caries prevalence in Jardinah was significantly lower than in Benghazi. Within Benghazi the caries prevalence was lower in state than private schools for the six-year-old children. Little evidence of dental treatment was found for the six or twelve-year-old pupils at either examination site.