Children’s oral health is one of the priorities of the Public Health Act of August 9, 2004. The goal is to reduce the average DMFT index for 12-year-olds to 1.40 by 2008. Since 1991, the South Province of New Caledonia has conducted a survey every five years to assess the oral health of 12- and 15-year-olds. This survey makes it possible to track changes in the oral health of the school population and to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention programs. In 2007, a representative sample of the school population was selected using the quota method. The criteria used were geographic area, sector (public or private), and level of education (primary or secondary). The sample included 319 12-year-olds and 270 15-year-olds. The variables studied are those recommended by the WHO, but only the results concerning the DMFT caries index (permanent teeth) are presented here. This index counts Decayed, Missing due to decay, and Filled teeth. The results indicate that the DMFT index is improving: 2.80 in 1996 vs. 1.95 in 2007 for 12-year-olds; 4.28 in 2002 vs. 3.04 in 2007 for 15-year-olds. However, they highlight a difference between the European, Melanesian, and Polynesian communities. They also suggest that access to dental care is difficult in certain parts of the province. (R.A.)