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.     

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.     

Common dental conditions associated with dental erosion in schoolchildren in Australia

PURPOSE: The purpose of the investigation was to determine factors associated with dental erosion in a group of schoolchildren in Queensland, Australia. METHODS: Dental examinations were carried out on 714 children aged 5.5 to 14.6 years from 8 randomly selected Australian schools. A total of 3,165 primary and 2,976 permanent teeth were scored for dental erosion using a modified erosion index. Dental caries experience was determined from clinical examination and bitewing radiographs. Enamel defects were recorded using the developmental defects of enamel index. RESULTS: There were 225 children (32%) who exhibited no erosion and 489 (68%) who had erosion of at least one tooth. Erosion was found in 78% of subjects with primary teeth and 25% of subjects with permanent teeth (P<.001). Children with erosion in the primary and permanent dentition were more likely to have: (1) a lower socioeconomic status (primary dentition, P<.001 and permanent dentition (P<.001); (2) enamel hypoplasia in permanent dentition (P=.001); (3) dental caries in the primary dentition (P=.001); and (4) permanent dentition (P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: In Australian schoolchildren, the prevalence of dental erosion in the primary dentition is approximately 3 times greater than in the permanent dentition. Dental erosion is strongly associated with caries experience and enamel hypoplasia.     

DMFT, dmft and treatment requirements of schoolchildren in Asturias, Spain

An epidemiological survey was carried out in 1992 to study the dental health status of schoolchildren aged 6, 9 and 12 in Asturias, Spain. It focused on the caries prevalence, dmtf, DMFT, restoration indices and dental treatment needs of this population. A representative sample of 1839 subjects, randomly selected and proportionally assigned by age group (6, 9 and 12) with the classroom as the sample unit, was examined. Analysis of the data showed that in 6-year-old children the caries prevalence in primary teeth was 45.8%. The mean caries in-dices were 2.10 dmft and 0.25 DMFT. At 9 years old the prevalence of caries in primary teeth was 62.8% and in the permanent teeth 49.1%. The mean level of caries was 2.38 dmft and 1.50 DMFT. At 12 years old the caries prevalence in permanent teeth was 71% and in first molars 64.2%. The mean caries experienced was 3.30 DMFT. In all groups the D-component constituted the major part of the caries index. The results for girls were higher than for boys in almost all age groups. Surface fillings were the treatment most required in all age groups.     

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 trends among indigenous and non-indigenous Australian children

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in dental caries among indigenous and non-indigenous children in an Australian territory. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Routinely-collected data from a random selection of 6- and 12-year-old indigenous and non-indigenous children enrolled in the Northern Territory School Dental Service from 1989-2000 were obtained. The association of indigenous status with caries prevalence (percent dmft or DMFT>0 and percent dmft>3 or DMFT>1), caries severity (mean dmft or DMFT) and treatment need (percent d/dmft or D/DMFT) was examined. RESULTS: Results were obtained for 10,687 6- and 12-year old indigenous children and 21,777 6- and 12-year-old non-indigenous children from 1989-2000. Across all years, indigenous 6-year-olds had higher caries prevalence in the deciduous dentition, greater mean dmft and percent d/dmft, and indigenous 12-year-olds had greater percent D/DMFT than their non-indigenous counterparts (p<0.05). From 1996-2000 the mean dmft and percent d/dmft for indigenous 6-year-olds and mean DMFT and percent D/DMFT for indigenous 12-year-olds increased, yet remained relatively constant for their non-indigenous counterparts (p<0.05). From 1997-2000, the percent dmft>3 for 6-year-old indigenous children was more than double that of non-indigenous children, while across the period 1994-2000, indigenous 6-year-old mean dmft was more than double that of their non-indigenous counterparts (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous children in our study experienced consistently poorer oral health than non-indigenous children. The severity of dental caries among indigenous children, particularly in the deciduous dentition, appears to be increasing while that of non-indigenous children has remained constant. Our findings suggest that indigenous children carry a disproportionate amount of the dental caries burden among Northern Territory 6- and 12-year-olds.     

The Scottish Health Boards' Dental Epidemiological Programme: initial surveys of 5- and 12-year-olds.

The Scottish Health Boards' Dental Epidemiological Programme, a joint venture between the Scottish Chief Administrative Dental Officers and the Dental Health Services Research Unit at the University of Dundee, was instigated in 1987 in response to the Chief Dental Officer's concern at the lack of any coordinated dental health information about children residing in the 15 Scottish Health Board areas. Each year a standardised dental survey of a random sample of children is now undertaken across Scotland. This paper reports, principally, the caries results of the first three surveys of 5, 12 and 5-year-olds undertaken at the end of 1987, 1988 and 1989, respectively. Marked variations in caries prevalence were found in different parts of Scotland, higher levels being recorded in the urbanised central belt and in the West. While there have been overall improvements since 1983, caries prevalence in Scotland remains substantially higher than in many other parts of the UK (mean DMFT for 12-year-olds in 1988 = 2.23, mean dmft for 5-year-olds in 1989 = 2.82), with 67.8% of 12-year-olds and 59.2% of 5-year-olds (in 1988 and 1989, respectively) still suffering from dentinal caries or past caries experience (DMFT/dmft greater than 0) when assessed by clinical examination alone. No continued improvement in caries prevalence was seen in the 1989 survey of 5-year-olds compared to the 1987 examination. Continued monitoring of this situation is indicated.     

Prevalence of dental caries and caries-related risk factors in premature and term children

This study evaluated the prevalence of enamel defects and dental caries and their risk factors on primary and permanent dentitions of prematurely-born children and term children. Eighty children were examined, 40 born prematurely (G1) and 40 born term (G2), in the age group between 5 and 10 years. The demographic variables, medical history and oral health behaviors were recorded on a questionnaire. The teeth were examined for presence of deficiencies of the enamel and caries that were registered. The caries were registered, focusing on the indices dmft (decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth) and DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth). The results showed that 75% of the total sample had enamel defects. The logistic regression model showed that other risk factors such as per capita family income, educational level, dietary and hygiene habits, fluoride exposure, trauma, and diseases had no correlation with enamel defects and caries. A smaller value of total DMFT (0.95) was found in the group of premature children in comparison to the term children (2.07) p = 0.0164. There was no difference concerning the permanent dentition between the two groups (p = 0.9926). One concludes that prematurity can't be a predisposing factor for the presence of dental caries.     

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.     

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 health of aboriginal pre-school children in Brisbane, Australia

Seow WK, Amaratunge A, Bennett R, Bronsch D, Lai PY: Dental health of Aboriginal pre-schools children in Brisbane, Australia.   Abstract –
This investigation studied the dental health status of a group of 184 Australian Aboriginal children with a mean age of 4.4±0.8 years, who were attending pre-schools in metropolitan Brisbane, a non-fluoridated stale capital city. The DDE (Developmental Detects of Enamel) Index was used to chart enamel hypoplasia and enamel opacities. WHO criteria was used to diagnose dental caries. The results showed that 98% of children had at least one tooth showing developmental enamel defects. Each child had a mean of 3.8 ± 1.7 teeth affected by enamel hypoplasia and another 1.1 ± 0.8 teeth affected by enamel opacity. Seventy-eight percent of the children had dental caries. The mean number of decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft) per child was 3.8±3.7. The decayed component consituted 3.5 (95%) of the mean dmft, indicating a high unmet restorative need in this group. The mean dmft (decayed, missing, filled, surfaces) was 5.9 ± 7.3. Maxillary anterior labial decay of al least one tooth affected 43(23%) of the children. In this sub-group, the dmft and dmfs was 9.1 ± 2.8 and 15.4 ± 7.7 respectively. Oral debris was found in 98% of the children. It is hypothesized that the high levels of underlying developmental enamel defects, compounded by low fluoride exposure, poor oral hygiene and a diet high in refined sugars pose an important caries risk factor in this group of children.     

Sugar consumption and dental caries experience in Kenya

Introduction: There have been claims that dental caries experience and prevalence in Kenya has been increasing as a result of increased sugar consumption. A review of the literature in 1986 failed to link dental caries experience with an increase in gross national sugar consumption. Subsequently, a number of studies were conducted, necessitating further review to examine trends in dental caries experience and to relate this to changes in per capita sugar consumption. Methods: Studies conducted since 1980 for children 3–15 years of age were examined. Dental caries prevalence and experience for 3–5 years’ (deciduous teeth) and 12 years’ (permanent teeth) age groups were analysed. Calculation of per capita sugar consumption was performed using gross national annual sugar consumption for 1969–2009 national population census years. Results: There was a gradual increase in per capita sugar consumption, from 35.5 g/day in 1969 to 60.8 g/day in 2009. Dental caries experience in deciduous teeth for children 3–5 years of age increased from a decayed, missing and filled teeth/decayed and filled teeth (dmft/dft) index of 1.5 in the 1980s to 2.95 in the 2000s. At 12 years of age, caries experience for permanent teeth increased from a DMFT of 0.2 to a DMFT of 0.92 over the same period. Dental caries prevalence for both deciduous and permanent teeth also increased with time. Conclusion: These observations suggest that dental caries prevalence and experience increased with time, in parallel to an increase in per capita sugar consumption. However, a clearer understanding can be derived from longitudinal studies, based on actual household age-specific sugar consumption and dental caries incidence.Key words: Sugar, caries experience, socio-economic development     

Oral health status among children and adolescents in governmental and private schools of the Palestinian Territories

Background: Political conflicts in the Palestinian Territories (PT) have resulted in systematic deterioration of socio-economic conditions and health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasised the negative impacts of social crisis on children’ oral health and quality of life. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and trends in dental caries and poor gingival health of schoolchildren in the PT through the scholastic years 1998/1999 to 2012/2013. Methods: This is a retrospective study. Prevalence data on dental caries of primary and permanent dentitions among children 6, 12 and 16 years of age were gathered from annual oral health reports of the School Dental Health Programme (SDHP)-Ministry of Health. Caries was recorded according to WHO methods and criteria. Decayed, missing and filled teeth indices for primary (dmft) and permanent (DMFT) teeth were calculated. Gingival health status was examined according to the Community Periodontal Index (scores 1 and 2). Statistical analysis used SPSS. Results: In 2012/2013, dental caries prevalence rates and the index scores among schoolchildren were as follows, respectively: 56.4% and 2.7 dmft at age 6; 42.0% and 1.4 DMFT at age 12; and 38.7% and 1.7 DMFT at age 16. For all age groups, the d/D-component of the caries indices was high. Trends of dental-caries prevalence, caries experience and gingival bleeding were fairly constant over time from 1998/1999. Conclusion: The SDHP was established in order to prevent and control oral diseases among schoolchildren in the PT. The Programme is fairly passive and the survey indicates an urgent need for reorientation of activities towards population-based prevention and health promotion. The application of the WHO Health Promoting Schools concept is highly recommended.Key words: Dental caries, gingival health, schoolchildren     

成都市儿童龋病患病趋势的改变(1982～1998)

目的 :通过对成都市儿童龋病调查 ,了解龋病患病情况、发展趋势及特点 ,探讨可能的原因及相应的预防措施。方法 :调查对象为成都市 3岁、5岁、12岁儿童 ,采用WHO口腔健康调查方法于 1982～ 1998年期间定期抽样检查。结果 :1982～ 1990年 3岁和 5岁儿童龋患呈上升趋势 ,dmft上升、无龋率下降。 90年代该两年龄组龋均上升趋势已不存在 ,1998年 3岁乳牙均 1 45 ,5岁 4 17,较 1982年低 ;无龋率分别为 6 0 8%、2 8 2 6 % ;12岁年龄组恒牙无龋率 1982 ,1998分别为 6 8 6 6 %和70 13% ,DMFT为 0 7、0 6 ,仍处于低水平。尽管无龋儿童增加 ,但少部分儿童龋患严重。结论 :成都儿童龋患 80年代呈上升趋势 ,1990年后保持平稳并呈下降趋势 ,但大多数龋集中在少部分儿童 ,充填率仍然很低。应加强对龋易感儿童的诊断、预防和早期治疗。     

东北地区人群第一恒磨牙龋病流行病学调查分析

目的了解东北地区第一恒磨牙患龋状况，为龋病防治策略提供依据。方法根据第三次全国口腔健康流行病学抽样调查方案，对东北地区9 394名5、12、35～44和65～74岁人群的第一恒磨牙龋病进行调查，采用SPSS13.0软件对数据进行统计分析，以患龋率和龋均作为统计指标。结果东北地区第一恒磨牙冠龋和根龋患病率分别为26.86%和3.81%，龋均分别为0.41和0.04，各省之间的患龋情况存在差异。冠龋主要发生于下颌，女性高于男性（P<0.01），而根龋男女之间无统计学差异（P>0.05）。辽宁省和黑龙江省第一恒磨牙冠龋城市高于农村（P<0.01），但吉林省冠龋城市与农村无统计学差异（P>0.05），根龋则各省城乡之间均无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论东北地区第一恒磨牙患龋较严重，应引起口腔医务工作者对其防治的重视。     

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.     

唇腭裂患者龋齿流行情况调查

目的:评估唇腭裂患者的龋齿流行情况。方法:使用龋失补(DMF/dmf)指数对6～12岁组、13～18岁组不同唇腭裂类型的286名患者的龋坏进行记录。结果:唇腭裂患者恒牙龋流行随年龄增长而增加(P<0.05)。6～12岁组中51%未患龋,龋均(DMFT)为1.77。13～18岁组中,4%未患龋,DMFT值为6.96。不同类型的唇腭裂患者的DMFT/dmft无统计学意义。结论:年龄是影响唇腭裂患者恒牙龋齿流行的主要因素,而类型并不是主要因素。     

Epidemiological survey of oral status of 7, 12 and 15-year old Cape Verde school children

A representative sample of 614 schoolchildren of Cape Verde Islands, 7, 12 and 15 years old, was randomly selected. The dental caries prevalence was determined in each age group using the dmft and DMFT indices. The mean DMFT index increased from 2.38 at age 7 to 4.5 at age 15 years. The percentage of children with caries free permanent teeth decreased from 74.5% to 10.4% between 7 and 15 years of age.     

Non-carious tooth conditions in children in the UK, 2003

BACKGROUND: The 2003 Children's Dental Health Survey is the fourth of the 10-yearly surveys of children's oral health. AIM: To report the prevalence of three non-carious tooth conditions in children in the UK. METHOD: A representative sample of children five, eight, 12 and 15 years of age were examined by calibrated examiners in schools across the UK. The dental examination included accidental damage to incisors, tooth surface loss (TSL) and enamel opacities (age 12 only). A postal questionnaire sought parental and child views on marks on teeth which could not be removed by brushing. RESULTS: The proportion of children sustaining accidental damage to permanent incisors decreased to 11% of 12 and 13% of 15-year-olds, but the majority of accidental damage remained untreated. TSL was found on 53% of five-year-olds and on approximately a third of 12 and 15-year-olds. There was a statistically significant change for TSL on permanent teeth at age 15 where 27% upper incisors had TSL palatally in 1993 compared to 33% in 2003. Thirty-four per cent of 12-year-old children had enamel opacities on one or more of their teeth compared with 36% in 1993. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth surface loss remains a common finding in children in the UK. A large proportion of accidental damage to teeth remains untreated.