Dental caries burden and associated factors among 5–15-year-old children in Başkale, Van: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background Dental caries is one of the most common chronic conditions in childhood, with significant impacts on children’s quality of life and health systems. Evidence from disadvantaged rural areas remains limited. This study aimed to quantify the burden of dental caries and associated factors among school-aged children in Başkale district, Van, Türkiye. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using records from the 2024–2025 national school screening program. A total of 4,996 children aged 5–15 years were included after excluding incomplete records. Data on age, sex, residence, body mass index (BMI), and comorbid conditions (gingivitis, tonsillitis, orthodontic problems) were extracted. Dental caries was assessed clinically as the number of decayed teeth. Statistical analyses included t-tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis. Results Overall, 91.9% of children had at least one carious tooth, with a mean of 4.31 ± 3.03 caries per child. Caries prevalence decreased with age (93.9% in 5–8 years vs. 83.5% in 13–15 years, p < 0.001). Boys had higher mean caries counts than girls (4.49 vs. 4.11, p < 0.001). Rural children had more caries than urban peers (4.43 vs. 3.99, p < 0.001). BMI was inversely correlated with caries (ρ = −0.173, p < 0.001). Children with tonsillitis (mean 8.52) and gingivitis (mean 6.90) had significantly higher caries counts compared to those without comorbidities (mean 3.49, p < 0.001). Conclusion Dental caries burden among children in Başkale is alarmingly high, particularly in younger age groups and rural settings. Findings highlight the urgent need for integrated, school-based preventive strategies, including supervised toothbrushing, improved access to fluoride toothpaste, parental and teacher education, and strengthened referral pathways in rural areas.