Prevalence of dental caries in the primary, mixed and permanent dentitions in Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Background: The national prevalence of dental caries in Nigeria is currently unknown. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of dental caries in the primary, mixed and permanent dentition among residents in urban, rural and semi-urban Nigeria. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL and Embase databases and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2001 and December 2023 reporting the prevalence of dental caries in Nigeria. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022362019) and conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Data extracted included study design, sample size, age of participants, and study location. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence. Results: A total of 1,010 records were identified, of which 52 studies were included in the systematic review and 35 were eligible for meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted in Southwestern Nigeria. The overall pooled prevalence of dental caries in Nigeria was 17% (95% CI: 14%–21%; I² = 97%). The pooled prevalence was 16% (95% CI: 10%–24%; I² = 98%) in primary dentition, 16% (95% CI: 11%–23%; I² = 97%) in mixed dentition, and 20% (95% CI: 16%–26%; I² = 96%) in permanent dentition. By setting, the pooled prevalence was 22% (95% CI: 7%–52%; I² = 98%) in rural areas, 17% (95% CI: 14%–22%; I² = 97%) in semi-urban areas, and 14% (95% CI: 6%–29%; I² = 98%) in urban areas. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies. Conclusion: Dental caries remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, affecting approximately one in five individuals. Although variations were observed across dentition types and geographic settings, substantial heterogeneity indicates diverse epidemiological contexts across the country. Strengthened preventive strategies and improved access to oral healthcare services are needed to address the burden of dental caries nationwide.
DOI: 10.17615/wqaf-c011
Authors: Abodunrin, Olunike Rebecca, Owotade, Foluso, Eleje, George Uchenna, Olagunju, Mobolaji Timothy, Chukwuemeka, Abel, Ehizele, Adebola Oluyemisi, Adewole, Ifeoluwa Eunice, Ezechi, Oliver Chukwujekwu, Akinsolu, Folahanmi Tomiwa, Foláyan, Morẹ́nikẹ́ Oluwátóyìn, Salako, Abideen Olurotimi, Lusher, Joanne
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Leakey Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of the Punjab, Wellcome Trust, Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit, Stichting Kwaliteitsgelden Medisch Specialisten, UCD Foundation, University of Bristol, Cancer Association of South Africa, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Cancerfonden, Ministero della Salute, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Rural Development Administration, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Israel Science Foundation, Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Vetenskapsrådet, Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province, African Population and Health Research Center, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hunan Provincial Innovation Foundation for Postgraduate, Key Research and Development Program of Jiangxi Province, National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Hanarth Fonds, National Institutes of Health, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Environment Research Council, Australian Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Health Data Research UK
OpenAlex ID: W7163687040