The role of location in indigenous and non-indigenous child oral health

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of location in Indigenous and non-indigenous child oral health in three Australian states and territories. The association of Indigenous status and residential location with caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need was examined. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a national monitoring survey of 4-14-year-old children enrolled in school dental services in New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory, Australia. RESULTS: Of the 326,099 children examined, 10,473 (3.2%) were Indigenous. Fewer 4-10-year-old rural Indigenous children were caries-free in the deciduous dentition than their non-indigenous counterparts and rural Indigenous children had almost twice the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) of rural non-indigenous children. The % d/dmft was higher among rural Indigenous children than rural nonIndigenous children. Fewer 6-14-year-old rural Indigenous children were caries-free in the permanent dentition than their non-indigenous counterparts and rural Indigenous children had almost twice the mean DMFT of rural non-Indigenous children. The % D/DMFT was higher in rural Indigenous than rural non-indigenous children. Living in a rural location was the strongest indicator of caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need in the deciduous dentition of Indigenous 4-10-year-olds while being socially disadvantaged was the strongest indicator of poor oral health outcomes among older Indigenous and all non-Indigenous children. CONCLUSIONS: Living in a rural location exhibited the strongest association with poor oral health outcomes for young Indigenous children but was also associated with poorer oral health among older Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.     

Caries experience of 5-6-year-old and 12-13-year-old schoolchildren in central and western Nepal

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse the caries experience and caries prevalence in the deciduous dentition of 5-6-year-old schoolchildren and in the permanent dentition of 12-13-year-old schoolchildren in western and central Nepal. Design: Non-randomised cross-sectional surveys conducted by trained and calibrated examiners. SETTING: Surveys were conducted in private and government rural and urban schools at 10 sites along the Terai and the foothills in eight districts of western and central Nepal. SUBJECTS: A total of 2,177, 5-6-year-old and 3,323, 12-13-year-old schoolchildren from urban and rural areas were examined under WHO Pathfinder methodology. OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of caries and dental caries experience (dmft/DMFT). RESULTS: The caries prevalence and mean dmft score of 5-6-year-olds was 67% and 3.3 (urban 64% and 2.9; rural 78% and 4.0). The caries prevalence and mean DMFT score of 12-13-year-olds was 41% and 1.1 (urban 35% and 0.9; rural 54% and 1.5). The d/D-component constituted almost the entire dmft/DMFT index. CONCLUSION: The recorded prevalence of untreated dental caries in schoolchildren requires an appropriate oral health response based primarily on prevention and health promotion. Foremost in this regime would be the promotion and use of accessible and affordable fluoridated toothpaste.     

Dental caries and associated factors in Mexican schoolchildren aged 6-13 years

The objectives of the present study were to establish dental caries prevalence (percentage with caries) and experience in the primary and permanent dentition (dmft and DMFT) of 6 to 13-year-old schoolchildren in Campeche, Mexico, and to estimate the contributing roles of the likely risk indicators. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 1,644 children aged 6-13 years. Self-administered questionnaires obtained information on social, economic, behavioral, and demographic variables. The primary dentition of 1,309 children and the permanent dentition of 1,640 children were evaluated in the oral examinations. The main outcome measures were DMFT, dmft, and SiC indices. Data were modeled using logistic regression analysis. The overall caries prevalence was 77.4%, 73.6% in the primary dentition (61.6% in 6-year-olds), and 49.4% in the permanent dentition. The dmft and DMFT indices were 2.85+/-2.73 and 1.44+/-2.05, respectively (DMFT = 3.11+/-2.62 in 12-year-olds). The SiC index was 6.05 at 12 years of age. Associated variables to dental caries in both dentitions were presence of enamel defects, presence of dental plaque, low socio-economic status, female sex, and older age. Mother's schooling was negatively associated (OR = 0.95) with caries in primary dentition. Caries experience in the primary dentition (OR = 6.02) was positively associated with caries in the permanent dentition. Dental caries status in these Mexican children was closer to the goals proposed by the WHO/FDI for 2000 than previous studies. This study has identified clinical, socio-economic, and behavioral determinants for dental caries in primary and permanent dentition on Mexican schoolchildren.     

Prevalence and severity of dental caries in 5- and 12-year old children in the Veneto Region (Italy)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the occurrence of dental caries among 5- and 12-year-old children in Northeastern Italy and to compare dental status between immigrants and native-born children. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional survey of 260 5-year-olds and 862 12-year-olds was carried out between October 2003 and May 2004. Dental caries were diagnosed at the caries into dentine (D3) threshold. Differences in dental health status were compared between immigrant and native-born children for both age groups. RESULTS: Among 5-year-old children, mean dmft was 1.45 (SD=2.69), SiC=4.31, 65.8% had no caries. Immigrant 5-year-olds (6.2%) scored more poorly than their Italian counterparts: mean dmft was 5.12 (vs. 1.21; p<0.001) and only 25.0% were caries free (vs. 68.4%; p<0.001). Among 12-year-olds, mean DMFT was 1.44 (SD=2.00), SiC=3.88, 55.1% had DMFT=0: 5.6% also had poorer dental status: mean DMFT was 3.23 (vs. 1.33; p<0.001), SiC=6.69 (vs. 3.66), and only 17.1% had DMFT 0 (vs. 56.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries and care obtained for both age groups are similar to those of other industrialised countries. When our results for 12-year-olds were compared with those of two previous surveys (1984 and 1994), a major decline in the prevalence of dental caries was observed. Being immigrant was a strong determinant in caries occurrence.     

Dental caries in 6-12-year-old indigenous and non-indigenous schoolchildren in the Amazon basin of Ecuador

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the caries experience among 6-12-year-old indigenous (Naporunas) and non-indigenous (recent settlers of mixed ethnic origin) schoolchildren, living in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 1,449 clinical exams according to the World Health Organization criteria. Nine (7.6%) indigenous and 3 (4.5%) non-indigenous children had no caries experience in their primary dentition at the age of 6. The mean dmft value (SD) among indigenous and non-indigenous children aged 6 was 6.40 (3.36) and 8.36 (3.93), respectively. Sixty-four (54.2%) indigenous and 29 (43.3%) non-indigenous children had no caries experience in their permanent first molars at the age of 6. Only 7 (6.26%) indigenous and 2 (2.60%) non-indigenous children were caries-free at the age of 12. The mean DMFT values (SD) for 12-year-olds were 4.47 (2.85) among indigenous and 5.25 (2.89) among non-indigenous children. Fillings were almost non existent. Caries rates were high among both groups, with untreated carious lesions predominating in all ages. The data of indigenous children suggest adoption of a non-traditional diet. An appropriate oral health response based primarily on prevention and health promotion is needed.     

Dental caries and associated factors in Mexican schoolchildren aged 6–13 years

The objectives of the present study were to establish dental caries prevalence (percentage with caries) and experience in the primary and permanent dentition (dmft and DMFT) of 6 to 13-year-old schoolchildren in Campeche, Mexico, and to estimate the contributing roles of the likely risk indicators. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 1,644 children aged 6–13 years. Self-administered questionnaires obtained information on social, economic, behavioral, and demographic variables. The primary dentition of 1,309 children and the permanent dentition of 1,640 children were evaluated in the oral examinations. The main outcome measures were DMFT, dmft, and SiC indices. Data were modeled using logistic regression analysis. The overall caries prevalence was 77.4%, 73.6% in the primary dentition (61.6% in 6-year-olds), and 49.4% in the permanent dentition. The dmft and DMFT indices were 2.85±2.73 and 1.44±2.05, respectively (DMFT=3.11±2.62 in 12-year-olds). The SiC index was 6.05 at 12 years of age. Associated variables to dental caries in both dentitions were presence of enamel defects, presence of dental plaque, low socio-economic status, female sex, and older age. Mother's schooling was negatively associated (OR=0.95) with caries in primary dentition. Caries experience in the primary dentition (OR=6.02) was positively associated with caries in the permanent dentition. Dental caries status in these Mexican children was closer to the goals proposed by the WHO/FDI for 2000 than previous studies. This study has identified clinical, socio-economic, and behavioral determinants for dental caries in primary and permanent dentition on Mexican schoolchildren.     

Trends in dental caries experience of school children in Australia - 1977 to 1993

Data on the dental health of Australian school children from 1977 to 1985 have previously been reported. Significant features included a secular decline in caries experience as defined by the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth in both the deciduous dentition (dmft index) and permanent dentition (DMFT index), and a change in the distribution of caries experience within the child population in Australia, indicated by increasingly smaller percentages of children accounting for greater proportions of total disease experience. The aim of the present paper was to extend the annual reporting on caries experience in Australia up to and including 1993, and to document the change in the distribution of caries within the child population since 1977. In addition, the data are compared with dental targets for children for the year 2000 in Australia and internationally. Caries data were obtained for the years 1977–1993 for children who were patients at School Dental Services in each State and Territory of Australia. Caries experience was recorded by uncalibrated dentists and dental therapists during routine dental examinations. From 1977-89 data were weighted by State and Territory estimated resident populations. From 1989, the data were stratified according to age, year, and State, and weighted to reflect proportions in the national estimated resident population for each State/age stratum. Between 1977 and 1993 there has been a decline in caries experience for 6 year old children from a dift? of 3.13 to a dmft of 1.90, and an increase in the per cent with dmft=0 from 33.1 per cent to 53.2 per cent with dmft=0 in 1993. Over the same time period the DMFT for 12 year olds reduced from 4.79 to 1.10 and the per cent while DMFT=0 increased from 10.5 per cent to 53.1 per cent. Projection of the decline in DMFT indicates the dental health target for 12 year old children of DMFT=1.0 by the year 2000 should have been achieved by the end of 1995     

Caries experience and oral hygiene status of blind, deaf and mentally retarded female children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the caries experience and oral hygiene status in blind, deaf and mentally retarded female children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHOD: All (N=218) the 6-7-year-old and 11-12-year-old blind, deaf and mentally retarded female children registered with the Presidency of Girls' Education schools in Riyadh were examined for dental caries and oral hygiene in a dental operatory setting. RESULTS: All (100%) the blind 6-7-year-old had caries with a mean dmft score of 6.58 (SD 2.02). The caries prevalence in blind 11-12-year-olds was 88.2% with a mean DMFT score of 3.89 (SD 2.67). Among 6-7-year-old blind children 8.3 %, and in 11-12-year-old blind children 29.4% had good oral hygiene. The caries prevalence in deaf 6-7-year-olds was 95.7% with a mean dmft score of 7.35 (SD 3.51). The caries prevalence in 11-12-year-old deaf children was 93% with a mean DMFT of 5.12 (SD 3.45). Less than one-fifth (17.4%) of the 6-7-year-old deaf children and only 7.0% of 11-12-year-old deaf children had good oral hygiene. The caries prevalence in mentally retarded 6-7-year-old was 93.9% with a mean dmft of 8.00 (SD 4.1). All the mentally retarded 11-12-year-old had carious teeth with a mean DMFT score of 5.81 (SD 2.95). Only 3.1% of the mentally retarded 6-7-year-old and none of the mentally retarded 11-12-year-olds had good oral hygiene. CONCLUSIONS: Caries prevalence and severity in all the three groups of female special children were very high, and the number of children with good oral hygiene was very low.     

Dental caries and dental erosion among 5- and 6-year old and 11- and 12-year old school children in the Hague, the Netherlands. Changing prevalences?

In 2002 a dental survey amongst 6- and 12-year-old schoolchildren in The Hague had been carried out. The 2002 survey suggested that in the period 1996-2002 the caries prevalence (% of cariesfree children) and the caries experience (mean dmfs/dmft scores) among 6-year-old children did not have changed significantly. Children of low socio-economic status in 2002 had an average higher dmfs/dmft count compared to 6-year-olds of medium and high SES. However, the survey suggested in the period 1996-2002 a significant increase of cariesfree 12-year-old children in low SES. Among 12-year-olds socio-economic differences in caries experience of the permanent dentition have diminished in 2002. In 1998 and 2002 respectively 3 and 23% of the 12-year-olds showed the prevalence of any dental erosion. This increase of the prevalence of dental erosion is in agreement with data from other European countries.     

Surveillance of primary dentition caries in Germiston, South Africa, 1981-97

OBJECTIVE: This 17-year-long study examined trends of dental caries rates in the primary dentition of 6843 preschool children in a South African city. METHODS: Calibrated dentists did repeated cross-sectional epidemiological surveys of dental caries in 2- to 5-year-old nursery school children using WHO diagnostic criteria between 1981 and 1997. RESULTS: Both the percentage of children with dmft>0 and mean dmft increased between 1981 and 1989 and have slowly declined ever since in the absence of organised prevention to produce a secular trend of decreasing caries rates. The dt/dmft percentage ranged between 60% and 100% except in 1991 when it dropped to 40% and the ft/dmft percentage component rose proportionally, probably due to an economic effect. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of children with dmft>0 and mean dmft decreased over the study period at all ages, the reason for which is unknown but is speculated to be due to a change in mutans streptococci strains.     

Evidence for dental caries decline among children in an East European country (Hungary)

In Central and Eastern Europe oral health systems are in transition due to the economic and political changes. The aim of the present study was to highlight the long-term trend in dental caries prevalence of Hungarian children. A WHO National Pathfinder Survey of oral health status was conducted in 1996 which included 6-year-olds (n = 900) and 12-year-olds (n = 900). Similar surveys were performed in 1985 (age 6-7, n = 895; age 12, n = 893) and in 1991 (age 5-6, n = 898; age 12, n = 898) and the surveys were based on the same sites and examination criteria. Clinical data were collected by trained dental examiners according to the WHO Basic Methods. In 1996, 73% of 5-6-year-olds and 84.5% of 12-year-olds were affected by dental caries. At age 5-6 the mean dmft was 4.5 and at age 12 the DMFT was 3.8. In both groups, the d/D-components were high (5-6 years: dt/dmft = 89%; 12 years: DT/DMFT = 45%). For children aged 5-6, the mean caries experience increased from 1991 (3.7 dmft) to 1996 (4.5 dmft) (P<0.01) whereas DMFT of 12-year-olds declined from 5.0 in 1985 and 4.3 in 1991 (P<0.01). The differences in caries experience by urbanization level were reduced over time. In 1996, 72% of 12-year-olds had gingival bleeding (CPI scores 1+2), and 23% had moderate/severe malocclusion. In conclusion, in order to meet the need for dental care in schoolchildren in Hungary health authorities are encouraged to revitalize the school dental services. Implementation of community-based health promotion is needed to control oral disease in Hungarian children.     

Oral health inequalities among indigenous and nonindigenous children in the Northern Territory of Australia

OBJECTIVE: To describe oral health inequalities among indigenous and nonindigenous children in the Northern Territory of Australia using an area-based measure of socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: Data were obtained from indigenous and nonindigenous 4-13-year-old children enrolled in the Northern Territory School Dental Service in 2002-2003. The Socio-Economic Indices For Areas (SEIFA) were used to determine socioeconomic relationships with dental disease experience. RESULTS: Some 12,584 children were examined, 35.1% of whom were indigenous. Across all age-groups, socially disadvantaged indigenous children experienced higher mean dmft and DMFT levels than their similarly aged, similarly disadvantaged nonindigenous counterparts. Indigenous children aged 5 years had almost four times the dmft of their nonindigenous counterparts in the same disadvantage category (P < 0.05), while indigenous children aged 10 years had almost five times the DMFT of similarly disadvantaged nonindigenous children (P < 0.05). A distinct social gradient was apparent among indigenous and nonindigenous children, respectively, whereby those with the highest dmft/DMFT levels were in the most disadvantaged SES category and those least disadvantaged had the lowest dmft/DMFT levels. In most age-groups, indigenous children who were least disadvantaged had worse oral health than the most disadvantaged nonindigenous children. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that indigenous status and SES have strong oral health outcome correlations but are not mutually dependent, that is, indigenous status influences oral health outcomes irrespective of social disadvantage. From a health policy perspective, greater oral health gains may be possible by concentrating public health and clinical effort among all indigenous children irrespective of SES status.     

Dental caries experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland

BACKGROUND: A survey of dental caries experience in children was undertaken in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland prior to the introduction of water fluoridation. METHODS: Data were obtained from screening dental examinations conducted by the Australian Army as part of a community assistance programme between May and September 2004 from 486 children aged 4-15 years. The clinical examinations were performed in a dental van using a dental chair, light, mirror and probe by a single calibrated examiner. RESULTS: Caries experience was high with a mean 6-year-old dmft of 6.37 and a mean 12-year-old DMFT of 3.50. The 6-year-old dmft Significant Caries Index (SiC) for the third of the population with the highest caries experience was 11.65 and the 12-year-old DMFT SiC was 7.08. Only 15.3 per cent of 6-year-old children had dmft = 0 and 28.9 per cent of 12-year-old children had DMFT = 0. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries was a significant problem for these remote communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland had more than four times the caries experience of Australian children for both 6-year-old dmft and 12-year-old DMFT.     

Caries increment in the permanent dentition of Mexican children in relation to prior caries experience on permanent and primary dentitions

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the likelihood of caries increment in schoolchildren, based on their prior caries experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We undertook a longitudinal study in 452 six-to-nine year olds between 1999 and 2001 in Mexico, with dental exams conducted by two standardized examiners (kappa>0.85). The dependent variable was the DMFT increment, dichotomized as without increment, and at least one unit of increment. Independent variables estimated caries experience at baseline. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests and generalized linear models (log-binomial) to calculate relative risk (RR) adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: The percentage of caries-free children diminished by 20.5% from 1999 to 2001. DMFT index increased two-fold, from 0.25+/-0.70 in 1999 to 0.77+/-1.30 in 2001 (p<0.001). The overall risk for this sample was 24%. The DMFT increment was higher (p<0.001) in children with DMFT>0 and dmft>0 in 1999 (RR=1.89, 95% CI=1.37-2.62; RR=2.71, 95% CI=1.94-3.76, respectively). The likelihood for DMFT increment from the 1999 levels was: (1) 2.78 times higher (95% CI=2.06-3.76) if schoolchildren had caries in any of the first permanent molars and (2) 1.62 times higher (95% CI=1.20-2.19) if schoolchildren were affected by high severity caries at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Both caries prevalence and mean DMFT had significant increments in 18 months. Dental caries in the primary (dmft) and permanent (DMFT) dentitions at baseline are goods indicators of subsequent caries development in this group of children in a medium income country. This relationship became stronger when the occurrence of caries in the first permanent molars was included.     

Caries status and treatment needs in South Africa: report of the 1999-2002 National Children's Oral Health Survey.

A third national children's oral health survey was conducted in South Africa between July 1999 and June 2002. OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY: One of the objectives of the survey was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries and the treatment needs for dental caries in 4- to 5-, 6-, 12- and 15-year-old South African school children. The sample comprised 30876 children from the nine provinces of South Africa. RESULTS: The results of the survey show that 39.7 per cent of the 6-year-old group were caries free. This figure, 39.7 per cent, is below the goal of 50 per cent set by the Department of Health for 6-year-old children in South Africa for the year 2000. The DMFT of 1.1 for the 12-year-old group on the other hand was below the goal of 1.5 set for South Africa for the year 2000. The highest DMFT/dmft scores were recorded in the Western Cape Province and the lowest in the Limpopo Province. More than 80 per cent of caries in children go untreated while the greatest need for treatment in South African school children was for preventive services, restorations and extractions. The results for the 12-year-old-group show a reduction in dental caries severity in the permanent dentition in that the DMFT decreased from 2.5 in 1982 to 1.1 for the current survey. CONCLUSIONS: Although dental caries severity in South Africa is classified as low by WHO standards, the high levels of untreated caries in all age groups in South Africa is a cause for concern.     

Prevalence of caries and dental erosion among school children in The Hague from 1996-2005

In 2005 a dental survey of the prevalence of caries among 6- and 12-year-old schoolchildren in The Hague was carried out. In the case of the 12-year-olds, the prevalence of dental erosion was also studied. The sample consisted of 814 students in twelve primary schools in The Hague. The results reveal that since the previous study, in 2002, the trend in the direction of an increasing percentage of children with deciduous caries-free teeth and permanent caries-free teeth had continued. In the case of the children who were not caries-free, it was noticeable that, in general, the number of new dental caries (dmfs- and DMFS-score) had not changed in the period 1996-2005, while the number of restorations among the 6- and 12-year olds had decreased. The mean restorative index in the deciduous dentition of 6-year-olds decreased from approximately 40% in 1996 to approximately 20% in 2005; with respect to permanant dentition among 12-year-olds, the percentage decreased from more than 90% to 60%. The percentage of 12-year-olds with dental erosion in 2005 remained unchanged as compared with 2002: 24%. The research revealed that there was no increase in dental caries or dental erosion among the 6- and 12-year-old school children in The Hague.     

Dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina

OBJECTIVES: To present the prevalence of dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). METHODS: A survey focused on dmft and DMFT indices was carried out in four cantons of the Federation of BH in 1997. The dental health of 6- and 12-year-olds was assessed in random samples (n = 238 and 318, respectively). DMFT index in adult population was assessed in clients coming to dental offices in the same area (35-44-year-olds; n = 401). All the subjects were clinically investigated. RESULTS: During the 1991-95 war, all four cantons were affected by the migration of population. The population per dentist ratio considerably increased in three cantons. In 6-year-olds, the average dmft (+/-SD) was 4.9 +/- 4.0, and 86% of the children were affected with dental caries. The average DMFT of 12-year-olds was 6.2 +/- 3.9. On the average, 94% of the 12-year-olds were affected with dental caries. Mean DMFT of adult clients was 15.1 +/- 7.0. Almost every adult (98%) was affected with dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: The dental status in postwar BH is rather poor and the mean DMFT in all investigated age groups may be considered high. The detrimental effect of 1991-95 war on social conditions and the health care system should be considered in explaining such poor dental health. Despite the limitations, the presented data may be used to assess the treatment needs, assure the visibility for dental issues in BH, and help the west European countries to plan dental services for refugees from BH.     

Malocclusion and caries prevalence: is there a connection in the primary and mixed dentitions?

The purpose of this epidemiological cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and caries in children and to investigate whether a relationship exists between prevalence of caries and studied malocclusion. The study consisted of 8,864 preschool and schoolchildren with primary dentitions (mean age 4.5 years) and mixed dentitions (mean age 8.9 years). 1997 WHO dental caries criteria were applied to both groups. The existence of an increased caries risk was deducted from the dmft and DMFT indices related to age. Malocclusion in primary and mixed dentitions was classified into seven types. Fifty-seven percent of all children had some form of malocclusion. Prevalence of malocclusion increased and was significantly greater in the mixed dentition sample (p<0.001) than in the primary dentition sample. Seventy-four percent of children with primary dentitions and 23% of children with mixed dentitions had zero dmft and DMFT scores. Mean dmft indices in subjects with primary and mixed dentitions were 1.02 and 1.53, respectively. No positive correlation between prevalence of caries and malocclusion could be established in the sub sample with primary teeth only. However, statistically significant parallelism in prevalence of malocclusion and caries were found for posterior cross-bite (p=0.050) and mandibular overjet (p=0.013) in children with mixed dentitions.     

Prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among school going children of Pondicherry,India

Dental caries is an important Dental public Health problem. Its high morbidity potential has brought this disease into the focus of dental health professionals. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among 5 and 12 years old school children of urban Pondicherry. The study population consisted of 2022 school children of both the sexes, (1009, 5-year-old children) and (1013, 12-year-old children). A simple random sampling method was used to select the schools. Dental caries was assessed by Dentition Status and Treatment Needs described by WHO (1997). The prevalence of dental caries was 44.4% in 5 years age group with 47.4% for males (mean dmft = 1.91 +/- 2.64 S.D.) and 41.1% for females (mean dmft = 1.45 +/- 2.18 S.D.). In 12 years age group the prevalence of dental caries was 22.3% with 20.6% for males (mean DMFT = 0.40 +/- 0.94 S.D.) and 24.1% for females (mean DMFT = 0.55 +/- 1.15 S.D). Evaluation of treatment needs revealed that the greatest need was for one surface restorations followed by two or more surface restorations. It may be concluded that FDI/WHO Oral Health Goals for the year 2000 have been achieved for the ages 5-6 and 12 years in Pondicherry.     

Oral health status and oral health behaviors in Chinese Children.

The objectives of the study were to describe the oral health status and treatment needs of the 5- to 6-year-old and 12-year-old children in Southern China; to describe the patterns of oral health behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes among the 12-year-olds; and to assess the effects of socio-behavioral factors on the 12-year-old children's dental caries experiences. The study sample was comprised of 1,587 5- to 6-year-old and 1,576 12-year-old urban and rural schoolchildren living in Guangdong Province. Three calibrated dentists clinically examined the children, and trained interviewers interviewed the 12-year-olds. Caries prevalence of the 5- to 6-year-old children was high (urban 78% vs. rural 86%); the mean dmft of the urban and rural children was 4.8 and 7.0, respectively. The caries prevalence and mean DMFT score of the 12-year-olds were 41% and 0.9 (urban) and 42% and 0.9 (rural). Only 2% of the 12-year-olds exhibited no calculus or gingival bleeding, while more than 70% had calculus. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for establishing caries-preventive activities for preschool children. The prevalence of caries among the 12-year-olds was not high, but their periodontal condition was unsatisfactory. Knowledge about gum bleeding and the use of fluoride was low. More oral health education activities should be organized, especially for the rural children.