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This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of dental caries and the treatment needs of a sample population of primary school children in Timal area in Kavre. The study is also aimed towards describing the oral health care system and the need of bringing dentistry closer to these children.

In age groups up to 5 years, it was found that 80% of the male and 40% female suffered from untreated dental caries. In age groups between 6-10 years; 75.6% of the males and 74.4% of the females suffered from dental caries. 55.36% of males and 51.87% of females in age groups suffered from dental caries. Untreated dental caries in these children was 100%.

Although this study has not clinically recorded the periodontal health of these children; on clinical examination, gingivitis was seen to affect most of these children.

Oral health is an indicator of general health. The health care system of Nepal, the NGOs, INGOs dental and medical colleges all need to make collaborative efforts in order to reduce oral health inequalities in Nepal. Along with development of workforce; allocation of resources to suit the expressed needs of Nepalese people is what our country needs to focus.

School children are potential priority target group for preventive programmes and adoption of common risk factor approach would be beneficial.

dental caries; prevalence; treatment need.