Objectives: To assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries amongst Egyptian adolescents and the prevalence of carious lesions treatable through the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach. Subjects and Methods: Using a convenient sample procedure, two secondary schools with a dental clinic were selected (967 students, average age: 13.7 ± 0.8 years, range: 12–15). Dental caries was diagnosed using the ART caries criteria, and plaque and calculus were assessed using the Green and Vermillion criteria amongst students grades 1–3 in the dental clinic by 3 calibrated examiners. The effect of the independent variables gender, age, tooth surface, jaw side (left or right) and type of jaw (mandible/maxilla) on dependent caries experience variables and D₂ and D₃ variables were tested using ANOVA. Results: The prevalence of dental caries including enamel lesion (D₂MFT) amongst the 967 students was 51.4% and that of dental caries excluding enamel lesions (D₃MFT) was 38.1%. The mean D₂MFT and D₃MFT scores were 1.5 and 0.8, respectively. The percentage of teeth filled and extracted was low. Female students had statistically significantly higher mean D₃MFT/S and D₂MFT/S scores than males (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of cavitated carious lesions (D₃) treatable through ART was 48% for score 2 and 28% for score 3. Conclusions: Most of the cavitated lesions were found untreated despite the presence of a dental clinic and a dentist on the school premises. The majority of cavitated lesions without pulp involvement could be treated using the preventive and restorative components of the ART approach.

Graphical abstract

Caries management is undergoing an evolution in dental education. This is part of a larger change in thinking focused on the person/patient as well as procedures to bring health to people. This perspective attempts to tell the story of the dental education culture regarding caries management from perspectives of evidence‐based care; caries as a disease of a person, not only a tooth; and the management of high‐risk and low‐risk individuals. Culturally and organizationally, the integration of basic, procedural, behavioral, and demographic perspectives for dental caries has happened at different rates for some decades. The involvement of students, teaching faculty, course directors, and administration is essential in this process.