SEVERITY LEVEL OF PRIMARY TOOTH CARIES IN CHILDREN WITH MIXED DENTITION: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT ASH SHIDDIQ ISLAMIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SIDOARJO

Objective: This study aims to determine the severity of primary tooth caries in students of Ash Shiddiq Islamic Elementary School. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 68 students aged 6-11 years who are in the mixed dentition phase. Clinical examination was conducted using WHO criteria to measure the def-t index (decayed, exfoliated, filled Teeth). Results: Out of 68 students examined, it was found that all students (100%) had caries experience with a def-t score ranging from 1-18 (mean 4.78 ± 3.44). The decayed component (d) was dominant with an average of 3.88, followed by exfoliated (e) 0.87, and filled (f) 0.03. The severity level distribution shows that 42.65% of students have mild severity (n=29), 30.88% have moderate severity (n=21), and 26.47% have severe severity (n=18). Novelty: The severity of caries in children in the mixed dentition phase ranges from moderate to severe, with a predominance of teeth that have not received restorative treatment. These results emphasize the need for comprehensive preventive and educational intervention programs to control the development of caries during this critical phase.