A marked difference in caries prevalence between 5-year-old children in two areas of Staffordshire, England.

The purpose of this study was to compare the dental caries experience of 5-year-old children in an urban and rural area of Staffordshire, England. The populations comprised 365 children and 206 children, respectively. 161 children in the urban area and 124 children from the rural area were examined. Those in the rural area had 44% less dental caries experience (P less than 0.01). The mean dmf of children with good dental cleanliness was similar in each area but there was a 39% and 33% interarea difference between those with fair and poor standards of dental cleanliness. A larger proportion in the rural area belonged to social classes 1 + 2 and fewer to social classes 4 + 5. A significant difference in dmf (P less than 0.01) between the areas in social classes 3N and 3M was found. Water supplies had less than 0.20 parts/10(6) fluoride. The interarea difference in caries prevalence cannot be fully explained by consideration of the variables of dental cleanliness, social class and waterborne fluoride. It is hypothesized that tooth resistance may differ between the areas. The study will be repeated to confirm the findings.