Oral conditions in a population of young adults in Strasbourg

The oral conditions of 1,993 young adults, 16-30 years old, constituting a statistically representative random sample of the population of Strasbourg, were studied. Plaque, calculus, and gingival indices were determined as well as DMFT and DMFS caries indices. All these indices showed a highly statistically significant linear correlation with age. Sex had a significant influence on caries indices but not on plaque, calculus, or gingival indices. Socioprofessional conditions had a very significant influence on caries and gingival indices but not much on plaque index and not at all on calculus index.     

Oral health in adolescents from a small French town

Abstract In France, caries are more prevalent in rural areas than in large cities. This study analyzed the relationship between number of oral health indices and some known risk factors (toothbrushing, sugar consumption, saliva components) and sociodemographic factors in adolescents from a small town. The sample included 112 children aged 12–14 in the north-east of France. School marks was found to be better linked with dental caries indices than the socio-occupational category of parents: gingival index (GI), DMFS, DMFT and caries severity (CS) significantly increased with decreasing school marks; oral plaque was related to socio-occupational of parents. The analysis using the regression method showed that the variance explained by the various factors studied was modest (between 23 and 30%) for GI, initial caries sites (IS), DS, DMFS, DMFT and CS. and was small for plaque (5%) and calculus (3%). This would be due in part to the wide dispersion of these indices. The sex had a non-significant regression coefficient for all oral health indices investigated. For GI, only mutans streptococci (MS) and plaque had a significant regression coefficient. Calculus was explained by any factor considered. Only MS had a significant part in plaque. IS was explained by MS, tooth-brushing and age. For DS, only toothbrushing, MS and sweet drinks during meals had a significant part. DMFS and DMFT were explained only by MS and age. CS was explained by MS, age, salivary buffer pH, salivary flow rate, and tooth-brushing.     

吉林省12岁儿童龋病和牙周健康状况调查分析

目的：了解吉林省12岁儿童人群恒牙龋病和牙周病患病状况及分布,为口腔疾病防治策略提供依据。方法：根据全国第三次口腔健康流行病学调查的方法,对吉林省城乡788名12岁儿童的龋病和牙周病进行了调查。采用SPSS13．0软件包进行数据的统计分析,以龋均、患龋率和牙石、牙龈出血检出率作为统计指标,两样本均数的比较使用t检验,率的比较使用X2检验。结果：12岁儿童的恒牙患龋率43．65％,龋均为1．07,龋均和患龋率男女之间均有高度显著性差异（P〈0．01）,农村地区患龋率高于城市地区,但经检验差异无显著性意义,吉林省12儿童的显著性龋均指数为2．89;牙龈出血检出率为53．46％,牙结石检出率和平均检出区段数为76．40％和1．94。牙龈出血检出率和牙结石检出率城乡之间均有高度显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论：12岁年龄组儿童患龋较高,牙周健康状况不良,应加强口腔卫生服务,以促进该人群口腔健康水平。     

Comparative unsupervised clinical trial on caries inhibition effect of monofluorophosphate and amine fluoride dentifrices after 3 years in Strasbourg, France

A randomized, double blind clinical trial of the caries inhibition effects of dentifrices containing respectively monofluorophosphate and amine fluoride was performed. A third control group used a toothpaste without fluoride. A total number of 2008 schoolchildren ranging in age from 6 to 8 years and living in Strasbourg (France) participated in this study. After a baseline examination three groups were constructed with the block randomization technic. The caries inhibition effects of the three dental pastes were compared after 3 years of unsupervised use. The monofluorophosphate dentifrice showed a reduction of 7.02% for DMFT, 5.17% for DMFS and 25.26% for the df rate. The reduction of amine fluoride dentifrice caries was respectively 21.62% for DMFT, 20.94% for DMFS and 48.66% for the df rate.     

Dental plaque, caries prevalence and gingival conditions of 14-15-year-old schoolchildren in Jerash District, Jordan

Abstract:  The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries prevalence in 14–15-year-old school children in Jerash District, Northern Jordan. Twenty schools (10 male and 10 female schools) with 1362 children of eighth and ninth grades were randomly selected and incorporated in this study. All participants had dental examinations for oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries experience using the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (PI), Löe and Silness Gingival Index (GI), and decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT) and surface (DMFS) codes respectively. The results showed that males had significant lower plaque but significantly higher gingival scores than females ( P  < 0.001). About 24% of children were caries-free. The proportions of children with one, two or three decayed teeth were between 10% and 18%. Slight non-significant variations between males and females were observed in regard to DMFT/S and their components ( P  < 0.05). It is concluded that significant gender variations were noted in PI and GI scores but not in DMFT/S or their components. However, the values of these clinical scores were lower than those results previously reported in northern Jordan.     

Caries prevalence and salt fluoridation among 9-year-old schoolchildren in Strasbourg, France

Abstract The 9-year-old group (236 children) of an epidemiological study carried out in 1991 in Strasbourg on children aged 6 to 15 years was selected with the aim of determining if the caries prevalence reduction observed could be related to the use of salt fluoridation (FS) introduced in France in 1987. From these 236 children, 143 answered a questionnaire which showed that 36 of them were fluoridated salt users and 107 were not. The dft index was significantly lower in the FS consumers which showed 35.5% dft reduction compared to the non-FS-consuming children. When using the Generalized Linear Model, this reduction was significant (P=0.03). Although lower in the FS group, the DMFT and DMFS indices showed no statistical significant difference. It appeared that 72.2% of the users took simultaneously fluoride tablets but no dental fluorosis was observed. The use of fluoride tablets had a significant effect on the DMFS (P= 10^-2). The children who consumed FS used more frequently fluoridated mouthrinses (P=10^-3) and had more frequent professional application of fluoridated gel and varnishes than non-consumers (P=0.02). The DMFS index increased with the number of meals (P= 10^-6), which was the most significant variable entered into the Generalized Linear Model. The children who brushed their teeth once a day had a DMFS value 2.6 times higher than those who brushed regularly three times a day (P= 10^-3). The DMFS value was 4.4 times higher among the children who brushed their teeth irregularly when compared with those who brushed three times a day (P= 10^-2).     

Dental caries and gingivitis in schoolchildren from the municipality of Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1975 and 1996

This study assesses changes in the prevalence of dental caries and gingivitis in a population of Brazilian schoolchildren in 1975 and 1996. The study was carried out in the municipality of Porto Alegre, Brazil, and included all 8- to 10-year-old children attending the second, third, and fourth grades at the same public school. Data were recorded from 233 children in cohort 1975 and from 185 children in cohort 1996. Only the children from cohort 1996 benefited from fluoridated water and regular use of fluoridated toothpaste. Caries experience was registered clinically and radiographically and summarised in DMFT and DMFS indices. The gingival status was described according to the GBI-index. Over a period of 21 years, the percentage of caries-free children increased significantly in all age groups; sevenfold at the age of 8, ninefold at the age of 9 and fourfold at the age of 10. Dental caries has almost disappeared from front teeth and premolars and was mainly located at the groove-fossa-system of permanent first molars. A seventy percent reduction in DMFS scores was observed. A significantly higher percentage of filled surfaces was registered in cohort 1975 than in cohort 1996 (P=0.001). The gingival bleeding index did not diminish during the study period, indicating that children's oral hygiene did not improve. Since the children had neither better access to dental care nor improved oral hygiene, it is tempting to believe that their access to fluorides contributed most to the marked decline in caries prevalence.     

Relationship of caries with socioeconomic status in 14-year-old children from communities with different fluoride histories

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the caries prevalence of 14-yr-old children living in two fluoridated communities, a non-fluoridated community, and a community that discontinued fluoridation 5 yr before the children were examined and to relate the caries prevalence to socio-economic status. Clinical examinations were completed on 413 children of whom 227 had been continuously resident in their towns. Children living in the fluoridated communities had significantly lower mean CMFT and DMFS scores than those in the non-fluoridated town. The children from the town that had discontinued fluoridation 5 yr earlier had mean DMFT and DMFS score that occupied an intermediate position. The differences were greater when only the continuous residents were examined. There were significant differences in the mean DMFT and DMFS when comparing socioeconomic status and fluoridation of the water supply. No interaction effect was demonstrated between these two factors.     

Risk factors and risk indicators associated with high caries experience in Swedish 19-year-olds

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors and risk indicators associated with high caries experience (DMFS >or= 10) in 19-year-olds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects (n=800) lived in seven suburbs of Stockholm and answered a structured questionnaire about their parents' education, occupation, and country of birth, as well as their dietary habits, oral hygiene habits, and attitudes to dental care. Dental caries was assessed by clinical and radiographic examination using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), and surfaces (DMFS) indices. Dental plaque (VPI%) and gingival bleeding (GBI%) indices were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 696 subjects (364 M, 332 F) participated in the study. The mean DMFT and DMFS were 3.9 and 5.1, respectively. In 81% of subjects, the DMFT was >or= 1 and 15% had DMFS >or= 10. In the multivariate analysis, the variables significantly associated with high caries experience were: dental fear (p<0.001, odds ratio (OR) 2.8), GBI >or= 15% (p=0.003, OR 2.1), mother born abroad (p=0.007, OR 2.0) and irregular toothbrushing at night (p=0.008, OR 1.9). When all significant variables in the multivariate analysis were present, the cumulative probability of DMFS >or= 10 was 52%. CONCLUSIONS: Dental fear, gingival inflammation, a foreign-born mother, and irregular toothbrushing at night are variables that are strongly associated with high caries experience in 19-year olds. The study indicates that foreign-born parents, oral hygiene habits, and behavioral factors still have a strong impact on dental health in late adolescence.     

Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana’a City,Yemen

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00398.x
Al‐Haddad KA, Al‐Hebshi NN, Al‐Ak’hali MS. Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana’a City, Yemen. Abstract: Data on the oral health status and treatment needs among Yemeni children are lacking. Objectives: To assess caries prevalence, treatment needs and gingival health status among school children in Sana’a City and to examine how these are affected by age, gender and khat chewing. Methods: 1489 children (6‐ to 14‐year old) were randomly selected from 27 schools representing all nine districts of Sana’a City. Dental caries and treatment needs were evaluated using standard WHO oral survey methods. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI) and the gingival index (GI), recorded at the six Ramfjord’s teeth, were used to assess gingival health status. Results: 4.1% of the study subjects were caries‐free. Prevalence of these was significantly higher among the males. Overall, mean dmfs, dmft, DMFS and DMFT scores were 8.45, 4.16, 3.59 and 2.25 respectively. The decayed component accounted for >85% of the scores. The highest dmfs/dmft means were found among the 6–8 years age group, while the highest DMFS/DMFT means were scored by the 12–14 years age group. The need for restorative treatment and extractions was high; the former was significantly higher among the females. All subjects had gingivitis; the mean PI, CI and GI were 1.25, 0.3 and 1.36 respectively. Khat chewing did not affect caries experience; however, it was significantly associated with higher PI, CI and GI scores. Conclusions: The prevalence of caries, gingivitis and treatment needs among children in Sana’a city is high. More surveys in other Yemeni cities to generate comprehensive data are required.     

Dental health in Icelandic urban children aged 11 and 12 years

Abstract A total of 1370 children were examined for caries, gingivitis, periodontal pocketing, calculus and loss of marginal alveolar bone. The mean DFT and DPS scores were 6.2 and 8.7 for 11-yr-old children and 8.2 and 12.1 for 12-yr-olds. The average number of initial caries lesions was 12.4 among 11-yr-olds and 15.7 among 12-yr-olds. The proximal and smooth surfaces accounted for 37% of the total DPS score in the 11-yr-old children and 43% in the 12-yr-olds. The median DPS score for the 11-yr-old boys and girls was 7, while for the 12-yr-old boys it was 9 and for the girls 11. Only 1.8% of the children were free from caries. The occurrence of gingivitis, expressed by GBI, was 20 in both age groups. 8% of the children showed no advanced gingival inflammation, while less than 1 % had bleeding gingivitis at all examined surfaces. Supragingival calculus was found in 10% of the children. Neither periodontal pocketing nor loss of marginal alveolar bone was observed.     

Decline in caries prevalence in6–14-year-old schoolchildren during1975–85 in Shizuoka, Japan

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in caries prevalence during 1975-85 in Japanese schoolchildren who did not have an apparent change in fluoride exposure. A total of 2872 schoolchildren aged 6-14 yr in two primary schools and one junior high school in Shizuoka city, Japan, were examined in 1985. The caries prevalence in 1985 was then compared with data which had been collected in a longitudinal survey on schoolchildren in the same primary and junior high schools by Katayama in 1970-75. The results indicated that DMFT and DMFS indices in 1985 were significantly lower than those in 1970-75 in all the examined ages (P < 0.01). The DMFT indices at age 12 were 3.60 in 1985 and 5.47 in 1970-75. Remarkable decreases in DMFT at age 12 were observed in maxillary incisors (50%), followed by maxillary molars (24%) and mandibular molars (22%). The decline in caries prevalence in the examined area may be mainly attributed to several factors other than use of fluoride, such as changes in dietary pattern, an increasing dental awareness and promotion of dental health care. But the percentage decrease per annum of DMFT index at age of 12 in the examined population was relatively low (-4.1%) in comparison with other industrial countries. Comparing the results with data from national dental surveys, it can be considered that rural areas in Japan do not exhibit a similar decline of caries prevalence as in Shizuoka city, but there will be a lot of districts exhibiting significant reduction in caries prevalence in the near future.     

A clinical trial of a slow-releasing fluoride device in children

The objective was to test a fluoride-containing slow-release device in preventing dental caries in children. Accordingly a population of 174 children aged 8 years living in a high-caries, low socio-economic area of Leeds (UK) was assembled. Two slow-release/dissolving glass (SFG) pellets, one with fluoride (F) and one without, were randomly attached to the maxillary molars of the children. Baseline caries as dmft/s, DMFT/S, periodontal disease, plaque and calculus were recorded using standard indices. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected 2 h postprandial for F analysis. All parameters were measured at 6-month intervals for 2 years. There were 132 children completing the trial of whom 63 (test n = 31, control n = 32) still retained the glass devices at the end. Comparison of mean values for gingival health and calculus showed no differences between groups throughout the trial. Mean caries as dmfs at the end of the trial (2.26) was significantly lower for the test (SFG, 2.26) compared with that for the control children (8.41; p < or = 0.001). DMFS was significantly lower at 0.84 and 2.34, respectively (p < or = 0.05). Mean salivary fluoride concentrations were 0.11 and 0.03 mg/l for test and control groups. It was concluded that placement of a glass slow-releasing fluoride device significantly reduced caries incidence in a group of low socio-economic schoolchildren over 2 years.     

Trends in oral hygiene, gingival status and dental caries experience in 13-14-year-old Jordanian school children between 1993 and 1999

Aims : The aim of this survey was to describe the trends in oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries prevalence in 13–14‐year‐old northern Jordanian school children. Method : A dental survey was conducted in 1999, similar to one carried out in 1993, utilising 10 schools (666 pupils) and 20 schools (1,695) with children of 7th grade, respectively. These schools were chosen by a simple random method from the five geographic areas of the city. All participants had dental examinations for oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries experience using the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI.I), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI) and decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS) codes, respectively. Results : Boys had higher plaque and gingival scores than girls in both groups. The mean PI.I and Gl scores of males and females were significantly higher in the 1993 survey than in 1999 (P < 0.05). Also, male and female children examined in 1993 had significantly higher caries experience, as measured by DT, DS, DMFT and DMFS scores than in 1999 (P < 0.01). No differences were found between M and F values of both groups. It is concluded that oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries has improved since 1993.     

Combined fluoride therapies

A 6-yr double-blind study was undertaken to compare the caries inhibiting-effectiveness of (a) 1 mgF- tablets (daily at school) plus fortnightly rinsing at school with 1000 ppmF-; (b) 1 mgF- tablets plus placebo rinsing; and (c) placebo tablets plus 1000 ppmF- rinsing. Participants were aged 4.5-5 yr at outset of the trial. At baseline, and annually thereafter, clinical caries and bitewing X-ray examinations were undertaken, hence ethical approval for a negative control was not feasible. Fissure sealant presence was also recorded. Initially, 192 children from predominantly low socio-economic backgrounds were enrolled, and baseline analyses showed no significant differences between groups with respect to primary caries prevalence. After 6 yr, 112 children remained, by which time no significant differences were noted between DMFT and DMFS values for those in the active tablet/active rinse group, as compared to those in the placebo tablet/active rinse group. However, in relation to both indices, in permanent first molars, the effectiveness of the active tablet/placebo rinse regime appeared to be significantly poorer than the placebo tablet/active rinse programme. For the active tablet/active rinse group, the DMFT difference was significantly less than the active tablet/placebo rinse group (37.9%), although for the DMFS difference, significance was not achieved. Similar trends were noted when DMFT and DMFS values for all permanent teeth were considered. The occlusal caries prevalence in permanent first molars followed the DMFT pattern, but differences between combined tablet/rinsing children and tablet-only children could be ascribed solely to the effectiveness of sealant presence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Caries prevalence after cessation of water fluoridation in La Salud, Cuba

In the past, caries has usually increased after cessation of water fluoridation. More recently an opposite trend could be observed: DMFT remaining stable or even decreasing further. The aim of the present study conducted in La Salud (Province of Habana) in March 1997 was to analyse the current caries trend under the special climatic and nutritional conditions of the subtropical sugar island Cuba, following the cessation, in 1990, of water fluoridation (0.8 ppm F). Diagnostic evaluations were carried out using the same methods as in 1973 and 1982. Boys and girls aged 6-13 years (N = 414), lifelong residents in La Salud, were examined. Between 1973 and 1982 the mean DMFT had decreased by 71.4%, the mean DMFS by 73. 3% and the percentage of caries-free children had increased from 26. 3 to 61.6%. In 1997, following the cessation of drinking water fluoridation, in contrast to an expected rise in caries prevalence, DMFT and DMFS values remained at a low level for the 6- to 9-year-olds and appeared to decrease for the 10/11-year-olds (from 1. 1 to 0.8) and DMFS (from 1.5 to 1.2). In the 12/13-year-olds, there was a significant decrease (DMFT from 2.1 to 1.1; DMFS from 3.1 to 1. 5), while the percentage of caries-free children of this age group had increased from 4.8 (1973) and 33.3 (1982) up to 55.2%. A possible explanation for this unexpected finding and for the good oral health status of the children in La Salud is the effect of the school mouthrinsing programme, which has involved fortnightly mouthrinses with 0.2% NaF solutions (i.e. 15 times/year) since 1990.     

The effects of airborne fluorides on oral conditions in Morocco

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries and dental fluorosis, as well as various other oral conditions, in 2378 subjects (ages seven to 60) living in the fluoridated area of Khouribga and the non-fluoridated area of Beni Mellal, Morocco. The community index of dental fluorosis (CFI) ranged from 1.99 to 2.80 in the high-fluoride area: Over 90% of the population was affected, and more than one-third of the subjects showed moderate dental fluorosis. However, in Beni Mellal, more than 96% of the dentate subjects examined were free of dental fluorosis, and the CFI of 0.02 was considered not significant. Significant differences were observed between the two areas with respect to caries prevalence. DMFT and DMFS indices were markedly lower in the fluorosis area of Khouribga. The oral conditions of subjects appeared to be better in Khouribga, where the gingival and calculus indices were significantly lower than in Beni Mellal. The analyses of covariance showed no significant differences in plaque accumulation (PI) between the Khouribga and Beni Mellal samples. However, a close statistical correlation was found between PI and GI in Beni Mellal and Khouribga.     

北京市12岁儿童口腔健康调查及影响因素分析

目的 了解北京市12岁儿童龋病患病率和牙周健康状况，并分析其影响因素。方法 随机抽取西城区616名12岁儿童进行患龋状况调查，对其中二分之一的样本做问卷调查，收回有效问卷206份，统计分析龋齿和牙石栓出率与影响因素间的关系。结果 患龋率43％龋均0．95，62％的儿童牙面清洁，10．6的牙周健康。结论 与第二次全国口腔健康流行病学调查结果相比，患龋率，龋均和需治疗牙数有所下降，但牙周健康状况较差。有晚上刷牙习惯的儿童患龋率较低，从未发现自己牙龈出血的儿童牙石少。     

Oral health status among schoolchildren in Romania, 1992

Abstract – In Romania, systematic information on the occurrence of oral diseases in children is scarce. The purpose of the present study was to describe the prevalence and the pattern of dental caries in schoolchildren, and to use the data to provide a baseline for planning and evaluation of oral health care. A national sample of children at grade I ( n = 729) and grade 6 ( n = 660) was chosen consistent with the WHO pathfinder principle. Clinical examinations were carried out according to the recording system for the Danish Municipal Dental Service and the following results were obtained. In children of grade 1 (7-yr-olds) the prevalence proportion of caries in primary teeth was 86% and in permanent teeth 39%. The mean caries indices were 11.4 dels and 1.3 DMFS. At grade 6 (12-yr-olds) the prevalence proportion of caries in primary teeth was 17% and in permanent teeth 90%. The mean caries experience was 0.8 defs and 6.5 DMFS, and a mean of 4.1 DMFT was observed. In both groups, the D-component of the caries index was dominant. The children were also classified by caries severity zone. At grade 1, 61% had a very severe pattern of caries in the primary teeth, i.e. caries in pits/fissures, proximal surfaces, smooth surfaces, and incisors. Forty-three percent of the children at grade 6 showed this pattern in permanent teeth. In Romanian schoolchildren the present level and pattern of dental caries are most severe and the implementation of oral health promotion and prevention at the community level is urgently needed.     

Caries prevalence in Icelandic chilcjren in 1970 and 1983

In the autumn of 1983 a clinical survey was carried out on 756 children aged 6-14 yr, residing in three non-fluoridated communities in Iceland. The aim of the survey was to assess what changes, if any, in caries prevalence may have taken place as a result of the provision of free dental restorative services for these children since 1974. The 1983 prevalence data were compared with data obtained from a caries survey conducted in 1970 in the same areas in Iceland. The same examiner performed all examinations in both studies. Although considerable increase was noted in number of filled teeth with a corresponding decrease in carious and missing teeth, a statistically significant change in caries prevalence, (dft, dfs, DMFT, DMFS) did not manifest itself. The dfs and DMFS in 1983 was 8.9 and 9.5, respectively, compared to 8.5 and 10.4 in 1970. Over 90% of the toothpaste used in Iceland during the 1970's contained fluoride. The children in the three study areas had not been provided with any public preventive programs.