Clinical consequences of untreated dental caries - a cross-sectional study using pufa index

Introduction: Dental caries is a global public health problem, especially among child population. If left untreated, it directly affects the child’s quality of life. Although, many surveys have been conducted reporting the prevalence of dental caries and caries experience, but the data on severity and clinical consequences of untreated dental caries are relatively unknown. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of consequences of untreated carious lesions using PUFA/pufa index, i.e., pulpal involvement, and ulcer due to root fragments, fistula, and abscess index among 7-8 years old school children in Patiala. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Patiala among 100 school going children of age 7-8 years. The clinical consequences of untreated dental caries by PUFA/pufa index was evaluated. The data obtained was compiled and put to statistical analysis. Results: The mean pufa value was 0.967 ± 0.56 and prevalence was 38% with major contribution from ‘p’ component of the index. Untreated caries ratio was 34.1% suggesting that more than one-third of the developed carious lesions cause severe consequences in a population. Conclusion: The PUFA/pufa index can be used to highlight the adverse consequences of dental caries in order to address the neglected problems among children at the earliest.