Evidence Gaps

Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable

Dental caries prevalence · Children aged 12 years (plus or minus one year) in Africa

The pooled dental-caries prevalence was 0.3657 (95% CI 0.3065 to 0.4250); GRADE was not reported.

2 findings from 1 review

Prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition amongst 12-year-olds in Africa: a systematic review and… 2022 All outcomes
Africa · Overall, urban/rural-status analysis
Prevalence 0.3657 [0.3065, 0.4250]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Prevalence of dental caries in the permanent dentition amongst 12-year-olds in Africa: a systematic review and… 2022 All outcomes
Africa · Overall, publication-period analysis
Prevalence 0.356 [0.294, 0.417]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported

Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)

Early childhood caries (ECC) · Children aged 0-5 years in North Africa

Pooled ECC prevalence in Tunisia was 38% (95% CI 24-51), significantly lower than Egypt and Sudan.

10 findings from 1 review

Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
Tunisia · Country: Tunisia
Prevalence 38 [24, 51]
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa · Sample size <500
Prevalence 48 [39, 58]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
Sudan · Country: Sudan
Prevalence 63 [52, 74]
3 studies
GRADE not reported

Show 7 more findings

Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa · Sample size >500
Prevalence 65 [55, 75]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa · Publication-bias adjusted (trim-and-fill)
Prevalence 62 [58, 81]
Studies not reported
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
Egypt · Country: Egypt
Prevalence 62 [53, 70]
10 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa (Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco); community, school, and hospital-based · Overall (all included studies)
Prevalence 57 [50, 64]
18 studies · 11319 participants
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa · Sampling: convenience
Prevalence 60
4 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa · Sampling: stratified/multistage cluster
Prevalence 50 [40, 61]
9 studies
GRADE not reported
Prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in North Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025 All outcomes
North Africa · Sampling: simple random
Prevalence 67
5 studies
GRADE not reported

What do systematic reviews say?

2 questions · 12 findings · 2 reviews

Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable

Not applicable (single-group prevalence) vs Not applicable (single-group prevalence)