Background: This study regarding 12-18 years old students in El Minya Governorate, Egypt , in order to assess dental caries and periodontal health condition among preparatory and secondary schools students in urban and rural areas. Data gained may be used for planning of preventive programs for oral health problems in El Minya GovernorateSubjects and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was used on 3516 students in El Minya governorate preparatory and secondary schools (boys& girls).students selected from El Minya city and Mallawi city were considered urban communities, while students selected from some Mallawi villages were considered rural communities. The teeth and the mouth examined by WHO basic method of oral health survey (1997), plus DMFS index and CPITN index for dental caries and periodontal disease respectively and their treatment needs.Results: The overall prevalence of dental caries in permanent dentition was (87.5%). As regard the frequency of dental caries in permanent teeth, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean DMFS index of males and females in urban and rural areas at most of age groups.In case of periodontal diseases, only 8.5% had periodontal or gingival diseases while 91.5% were diseases free, but no statistically significant difference between boys or girls in urban or rural, and in all age groups.Conclusion: Mean DMFS index among the examined students is considered high among preparatory and secondary school students in El Minya Governorate. Treatment need for filling of dental caries was predominant among school students both in boys and girls in urban and rural areas. Treatment need for periodontal diseases did not represent a problem among preparatory and secondary school students in urban and rural areas.