A cross sectional community based survey torndetermine the prevalence of dental caries in Shashemenernworeda, 250 Km. South Eastern part of Ethiopia wasrnconducted between November 1994 and December 1994.rnA total of 1228 individuals, 630 (5 1.3% ) males andrn598 (48.7%) females participated in the study. Thernoverall_ den.tal caries pr.e:val.ence _r.at.e-was found_ to bern51.4% 631 of the total 1228 people being affected, Thernprevalence of dental caries was found--to be- hgner- .among- .. .. . .rnthe rural resdents 53 . 7% of the total 821 people examinedrnbeing affected as compared to 46.4% of the total 407rnurban population studied respectively.rnFemales were affected more than males,rnof the total 598 and 316 (50 . 2%) of thern315 (52.7%)rntotal 630rnrespectively. The difference was statisticallyrnsignificant OR; 1.81 (1.32,2.49 ) .The survey alsornelucidated that the d i sease prevalence increases with agernold people being affected more, only 11.8% of those agedrn60 years and above being caries free.rnThe risk factors for dental caries identified inrnthis study were agernresidence (beingrn(being old ) , sexrnrural resident ) ,rn(being a female ) ,rnlow education,rnconsumption of sweet food items, Khat chewing, presencernof food remnants in the oral cavity, gingivitis , calculirnand plaque.The study has elucidated that dental cariesrnprevalence is high, more than half of the studiedrnpopulation being affected by dental caries. It seems thatrnthe "excellent Ethiopian teeth" practically is becomingrna legend this days.rnStrengthening of health education in the healthrninstitutions and initiation of health education programmernin schoQLs, training oLadequate-health man power te dealrnwith oral health problems and further studies to identifyrnother risk fa.ct.ors - Â·--and Â· to-Featment requirement are--"rnrecommended.