Streptococcus mutans Dental Caries among Patients Attending Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Ethiopia

Background: Dental caries is an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth. Streptococcus mutans is a bacterial resident of the oral cavity and is considered to be the principal etiological agent of dental caries in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Streptococcus mutans dental caries. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among patients who attended Debre Berhan referral hospital dental clinic. Patient’s demographic and clinical information was collected by using pre-tested questionnaire. Dental plaques from all patients was picked up by forceps and suspended in to phosphate-buffered saline for further Streptococcus mutans identification. Result: From a total of 115 study participants 56 (48.7%) and 59 (51.3%) were males and females respectively. The overall prevalence of Streptococcus mutans was 79 (68.7%) among patients with dental caries. participants 25 (21.7%) had gem bleeding and 47 (40.9%) of the participants had previous tooth decay. Conclusion: In this study, again Streptococcus mutans is the common public health problem among dental caries patients. Drinking soft drinks, oral debris and gingival index were the associated risk factor for dental caries of Streptococcus mutans.