Saudi Gazette A study conducted by Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah revealed that approximately 90 percent Saudi children suffer from tooth decay. The study of children from the different regions of the Kingdom showed that 74 percent to 93 percent children between the ages of six and seven years suffer from tooth decay. The dental students' club at Umm Al-Qura University organized an awareness campaign and exhibition on oral and dental health in King Abdul Aziz Endowment building. The informational booths attracted and informed young children and their parents on dental hygiene and healthy lifestyle habits that prevent dental caries. The rector of the university, Dr. Bakri Assas, honored and thanked 20 students for participating in the campaign. The Dean of the Faculty of Dentsitry at Umm Al-Qura University, Dr. Muhammad Byari, added that the study showed that 96.7 percent children in the Asir region have poor dental health, and following relatively close are the Tabuk and Najran regions. Hail has 74 percent children suffering from dental caries, which is deemed as the lowest in the country. Dr. Byari warned that the rate of childhood dental problems in the Kingdom is higher than the world average, since it has exceeded 90 percent of all children. He urged both the private and government sectors to support more dental health awareness campaigns in various regions of the Kingdom in order to reduce the incidence of dental caries. He said that it is the responsibility of the media, dentists, and dental students to educate the society on the prevention of tooth decay. Awareness campaigns are very beneficial and they reinforce the importance of balanced nutrition, avoidance of sweets and soft drinks, brushing twice a day and regularly visiting the dentist. __
