Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis

<b>Objectives</b>: This meta-analysis aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries among children in Turkey by synthesizing national evidence from theses and peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024. <b>Methods</b>: Studies were retrieved from the YÖK...

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Main Authors: Ezgi Eroğlu Çakmakoğlu, Ayşe Günay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/777
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author Ezgi Eroğlu Çakmakoğlu
Ayşe Günay
author_facet Ezgi Eroğlu Çakmakoğlu
Ayşe Günay
author_sort Ezgi Eroğlu Çakmakoğlu
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objectives</b>: This meta-analysis aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries among children in Turkey by synthesizing national evidence from theses and peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024. <b>Methods</b>: Studies were retrieved from the YÖK Thesis Database and Google Scholar using keywords such as ‘Caries Prevalence’ and ‘Primary Tooth.’ PubMed was used to cross-check peer-reviewed articles. A total of 28 studies and 29 data points including 40,244 children aged approximately 2 to 15 years were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I<sup>2</sup> index, and publication bias was evaluated with an Egger’s test and funnel plots. <b>Results</b>: The pooled prevalence of dental caries among Turkish children was 75.6% (95% CI: 70.8–79.8%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I<sup>2</sup> = 98.4%), but no significant publication bias was detected. <b>Conclusions</b>: Dental caries remains a significant public health issue among children in Turkey. Targeted preventive measures—such as nationwide dental screenings and school-based fluoride programs—are urgently needed.
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spelling doaj-art-c7fefce269954ecabe33cab4bc2afa662025-08-20T03:27:14ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-06-0112677710.3390/children12060777Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-AnalysisEzgi Eroğlu Çakmakoğlu0Ayşe Günay1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman 02000, TurkeyDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21000, Turkey<b>Objectives</b>: This meta-analysis aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries among children in Turkey by synthesizing national evidence from theses and peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024. <b>Methods</b>: Studies were retrieved from the YÖK Thesis Database and Google Scholar using keywords such as ‘Caries Prevalence’ and ‘Primary Tooth.’ PubMed was used to cross-check peer-reviewed articles. A total of 28 studies and 29 data points including 40,244 children aged approximately 2 to 15 years were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I<sup>2</sup> index, and publication bias was evaluated with an Egger’s test and funnel plots. <b>Results</b>: The pooled prevalence of dental caries among Turkish children was 75.6% (95% CI: 70.8–79.8%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I<sup>2</sup> = 98.4%), but no significant publication bias was detected. <b>Conclusions</b>: Dental caries remains a significant public health issue among children in Turkey. Targeted preventive measures—such as nationwide dental screenings and school-based fluoride programs—are urgently needed.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/777caries prevalencechildrenTurkeymeta-analysisoral health
spellingShingle Ezgi Eroğlu Çakmakoğlu
Ayşe Günay
Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis
Children
caries prevalence
children
Turkey
meta-analysis
oral health
title Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis
title_full Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis
title_short Nationwide Prevalence of Dental Caries in Turkish Children: A Meta-Analysis
title_sort nationwide prevalence of dental caries in turkish children a meta analysis
topic caries prevalence
children
Turkey
meta-analysis
oral health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/777
work_keys_str_mv AT ezgieroglucakmakoglu nationwideprevalenceofdentalcariesinturkishchildrenametaanalysis
AT aysegunay nationwideprevalenceofdentalcariesinturkishchildrenametaanalysis