Aims of the study were to assess dental health among school age children and identify the predisposing factors of dental problems among school age children. The study was carried out at dental clinics that affiliated to Benha University Hospital and School of Health in Benha city for unhealthy children while the healthy children they were met at their schools. Sample of the study involved unhealthy children (n-100) and healthy children (n-30). Tools of data collection were a structured interviewing questionnaire, Likert type rating scale and dental assessment sheet. The most important findings of the study were that, rate of dental caries was found higher among girls children than boys children, rate of dental caries was found higher among children from low socio-economic status. A statistical significant difference was observed between unhealthy and healthy children attitude towards their dental health. A statistical significant difference was observed between all socio demographic characteristics and children's def (decayed, extracted, filled). A statistical significant difference was found between all socio demographic characteristics of the studied children except residence and their total knowledge about predisposing factors of dental problems in school age children. The study concluded that, dental caries was the most common dental problem of the studied children and the level of socioeconomic status and nutrition were the main predisposing factors of such problems. In the light of the results of the present study it can be suggested that health education programs about healthy diet and practices of adequate oral hygiene should be highlighted in schools (through integration into the school curriculum and services) and adopting national comprehensive programme for prevention of oral and dental diseases in children.

Key words: Dental caries, extracted teeth, filled teeth, children, school, nursing.