Prevalence of Dental Caries–An Ongoing Public Health Crisis: A Meta-Analysis

Background Dental caries is one of the oldest and most prevalent infectious diseases affecting humans. According to the American Dental Association, it is a biofilm-mediated, sugar-driven, multifactorial disease characterized by the cyclical demineralization and remineralization of dental hard tissues. Despite numerous global efforts to reduce its burden, comprehensive assessments of its prevalence in specific populations remain limited. Objective This study aimed to systematically review and analyze the prevalence and trends of dental caries among school-aged children in Saudi Arabia over the past 23 years. Methods A systematic search of Scopus, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, and MEDLINE via Ovid was conducted to identify relevant studies. A total of 20 eligible articles were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Results The pooled prevalence of dental caries among children aged 5–7 years was 84% (95% CI: 0.82–0.86). Among children aged 12–15 years, the overall prevalence was 74% (95% CI: 0.67–0.79) with significant heterogeneity observed (I² = 83%). Conclusion Dental caries remains highly prevalent among school-aged children in Saudi Arabia, particularly in younger age groups. These findings underscore the need for enhanced preventive strategies and sustained public health interventions targeting oral health in this population.