Although oral disease is a major public health problem, there is little epidemiological research in Ethi opia, This study is designed to provide base-line information on the major oral health problems among primary school children in Addis Ababa, A school-based cross-sectional study to assess the oral health status of primary school chi ldren aged 12 years and above, was conducted in Addis Ababa, in April 2000, A total of 1736 study subjects were chosen by multi-stage se lection procedll1'es from three different (private, public and government) types of schools, propOltionate to their size of student population, The overall prevalence of dental caries was 21,1 %, with no significant variation between the different types of schools, In this study, dental caries significantly increased with increasing age, high consumption of sweets and in those who do not clean their teeth