DMFT Score Calculator
Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index with surface-level DMFS scoring, WHO caries severity classification, population norm comparison, and complete charting documentation for clinical and epidemiological dental assessment.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Nikhil Mahajan, PT, MPT · Jan 15, 2026DMFS Surface Score Optional
Enter surface counts for the more sensitive DMFS index (max 128 surfaces for 32 teeth)
DMFT Severity Classification — WHO Reference
| DMFT Score | Severity | WHO Classification | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Caries Free | No caries experience | Preventive maintenance, fluoride, diet counselling |
| 1 – 3 | Low | WHO Global Goal (≤1.0 for 12-year-olds) | Routine care, reinforced oral hygiene instruction |
| 4 – 6 | Moderate | Significant caries burden | Caries risk assessment, fluoride therapy, dietary assessment |
| 7 – 8 | High | High caries prevalence | Intensive prevention, possible CAMBRA protocol, recall every 3 months |
| ≥ 9 | Very High | Rampant caries pattern | Comprehensive caries management, systemic fluoride, nutritional counselling, consider silver diamine fluoride |
| Care Index (CI) = F ÷ DMFT | Proportion of caries experience that has been treated. CI <0.5 = low treatment coverage; CI ≥0.8 = good treatment coverage for population. | ||
US Population DMFT Norms (NHANES)
| Age group | Mean DMFT | % Caries Free | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children 6–11 yrs | ~1.0–2.5 | ~45–55% | NHANES 2015–2018 |
| Adolescents 12–19 yrs | ~2.5–4.0 | ~35–45% | NHANES 2015–2018 |
| Adults 20–34 yrs | ~4.5–6.0 | ~10–15% | NHANES 2015–2018 |
| Adults 35–49 yrs | ~7.0–9.0 | ~5–8% | NHANES 2015–2018 |
| Adults 50–64 yrs | ~10.0–13.0 | <3% | NHANES 2015–2018 |
| Adults 65+ yrs | ~13.0–17.0 | <1% | NHANES 2015–2018 |
What Is the DMFT Index?
The DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) is the most widely used measure of dental caries experience in clinical dentistry and oral epidemiology worldwide. Developed by Klein, Palmer, and Knutson in 1938, it provides a simple, reproducible count of lifetime caries experience across an individual's permanent dentition.
How DMFT is Calculated
Each permanent tooth is examined and classified as one of three categories: D (Decayed) — active untreated caries present; M (Missing) — tooth absent due to caries extraction only; F (Filled) — tooth restored due to previous caries. The sum of D + M + F teeth gives the DMFT score. Maximum score excluding third molars = 28; including third molars = 32. A score of 0 indicates a caries-free patient.
DMFT vs DMFS — When to Use Each
The DMFT counts affected teeth (0–28). The DMFS counts affected surfaces — each posterior tooth has 5 surfaces (mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, occlusal) and each anterior tooth has 4 (mesial, distal, buccal, lingual), giving a maximum of 128 surfaces. DMFS is more sensitive for tracking small changes and is preferred in longitudinal research studies. DMFT is faster to calculate and more practical for routine clinical use and population surveys.
Care Index — What It Tells You
The Care Index (CI = F ÷ DMFT) expresses what proportion of a patient's or population's caries experience has been treated. A CI of 0.8 means 80% of affected teeth have been treated — a high treatment rate. A CI of 0.2 indicates 80% of caries remains untreated — a significant unmet treatment need. The WHO uses CI alongside DMFT for population oral health programme planning.
Clinical Applications
- Individual risk stratification — DMFT score guides recall interval (high DMFT = 3-month recall) and prevention protocol intensity
- Population oral health surveys — WHO standard for national and international dental epidemiology studies since 1938
- Treatment planning — D component drives immediate restorative need; M component informs prosthodontic planning; F component tracks historical treatment burden
- Insurance and medicolegal documentation — baseline DMFT is required documentation for many dental insurance claims and forensic dental identification