Oral habits in school going children of Delhi: a prevalence study

This study was conducted on 5554 children aged 5-13 years old with the objectives of recording the prevalence of oral habits among North Indian children according to sex. These children were selected from the schools of Delhi. The sample represented the entire school-going population of Delhi in the age group of 5-13 years. Statistical analysis was carried out using BMDP software and sex differences were calculated by using Fisher's exact test. The results showed that the prevalence of oral habits in Delhi school going children was 25.5%. Tongue thrust was the commonest habit (18.1%) followed by mouth breathing (6.6%). Thumb sucking was relatively less common habit and seen in only 0.7% of children. There were no significant differences between boys and girls for the prevalence of oral habits. However, for the specific habit types there was a sex difference. Thumb sucking was more common in girls (1.0%) when compared with boys (0.4%) and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was a reverse trend for the mouth breathing, which was more common (P < 0.001) in boys (7.8%) than girls (5.3%). There were no differences for tongue thrust habit between boys (17.5%) and girls (18.6%).     

Oral health status of 16-year-old school children in Malaysia

The aim of the present study was to determine the oral health status of 16-year-old Malaysian school children. The prevalence of caries was 75.5%. More than 60% of subjects had caries experience by teeth (DMFT) scores of 0-3. The largest component of the DMFT and caries experience by surface index was the filled component. Females had higher caries prevalence and caries scores than males. The mouth and tooth prevalences of enamel defects were 56% and 21.8%, respectively. The most common type of enamel defects observed were diffuse opacities, affecting 95.5% of affected subjects and 92.1% of affected teeth. One-third of subjects had healthy gingival conditions, 8.6% had bleeding gingivae, 55.1% had calculus and 3% had pockets. Less than 1% of subjects wore or required dentures. Cleft lip and/or palate was uncommon. This study shows that the prevalence of caries and DMFT scores have declined over the last 30 years.     

泰州市6～7岁儿童口腔健康状况、行为及其影响因素的调查研究

目的 调查泰州市6～7岁儿童的口腔健康状况和及其影响因素。方法 随机抽取泰州市10所小学1 800名6～7岁儿童,按WHO龋病诊断标准调查儿童患龋情况。采用母亲问卷和教师问卷的调查方法收集儿童的口腔健康态度、行为以及相关影响因素。结果 泰州市1 800名6～7岁儿童乳牙患龋率为68.2%,龋均为3.54,龋面均为8.24;恒牙患龋率为5.2%,龋均为0.07,面均为0.08,33.80%的儿童每天刷牙2次以上,59.10%的儿童每天刷牙1次,4.62%的儿童很少或从不刷牙。61.28%的儿童使用含氟牙膏。大约25.32%的儿童在过去1年拜访过牙医,59.20%儿童每天吃含糖食品3次以上。结论 泰州市儿童患龋率高于全国2008年口腔流行病学调查结果。     

Oral health status of second grade school children in upstate New York

This report summarizes the results of a survey of second grade children conducted in upstate New York. The survey was designed to monitor progress toward achieving Healthy People 2000 objectives and Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant performance measures. Data on oral health status, use of preventive measures and insurance coverage were collected on 2,474 children from 76 schools. In addition to obtaining population estimates, disparities in oral health between poor and nonpoor children were assessed. The results showed that approximately 52% of second grade children had dental caries, and 35% had untreated disease. Approximately 43% received fluoridated water, and 44% of children living in non-fluoridated areas used fluoride supplements on a regular basis. Only 25% of the children had dental sealants. The percentage of children covered by comprehensive and basic insurance plans was approximately 19% and 41%, respectively. Many of the national oral health objectives were not met primarily because of the higher rate of disease among the poor and their lower use of preventive services. These findings regarding oral health status and use of preventive services are similar to the national data.     

Oral health status of 12-year-old school children in Khartoum state, the Sudan; a school-based survey

Background  

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of dental caries among school children in the past decades in Sudan rendering it difficult to understand the status and pattern of oral health.     

Oral health status of adults in Southern Vietnam - a cross-sectional epidemiological study

Background

Dental caries is one of the primary causes of tooth loss among adults. It is estimated to affect a majority of Americans aged 55 and older, with a disproportionately higher burden in disadvantaged populations. Although a number of treatments are currently in use for caries prevention in adults, evidence for their efficacy and effectiveness is limited.

Methods/Design

The Prevention of Adult Caries Study (PACS) is a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of a chlorhexidine (10% w/v) dental coating in preventing adult caries. Participants (n = 983) were recruited from four different dental delivery systems serving four diverse communities, including one American Indian population, and were randomized to receive either chlorhexidine or a placebo treatment. The primary outcome is the net caries increment (including non-cavitated lesions) from baseline to 13 months of follow-up. A cost-effectiveness analysis also will be considered.

Discussion

This new dental treatment, if efficacious and approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would become a new in-office, anti-microbial agent for the prevention of adult caries in the United States.

Trial Registration Number

NCT00357877     

Oral health status of adults in Southern Vietnam - a cross-sectional epidemiological study

Background  

Before strategies or protocols for oral health care can be advised at population level, epidemiological information on tooth decay patterns and its effects on oral function are indispensable. The aim of this study was to investigate influences of socio-demographic variables on the prevalence of decayed, missing, filled (DMF) and sound teeth (S_t) and to determine the relative risk of teeth in different dental regions for D, M, and F, of adults living in urban and rural areas in Southern Vietnam.     

Oral health status in Belgian 3- to 5-year-old children

The aim of this study was to determine the need for oral health care in young Belgian children in the municipality of Leuven, Belgium. The sample consisted of 750 boys and girls (3 years=200, 4 years=200 and 5 years=350). Clinical examination was carried out by one examiner and duplicate recordings were made on 10% of the sample. The clinical examination included recording of: (1) plaque index; (2) gingival index; (3) caries index; and (4) fluorosis index. Plaque and gingival indices were recorded at six sites of smooth surfaces on selected teeth. Occlusal plaque was also registered. Before the clinical examination for caries and fluorosis, the children had their teeth professionally cleaned with toothbrushes and dental floss and dried by means of gauze bandages. In all age groups, the percentage of plaque-free sites was of the order of 60% and sound gingiva was identified at 83% of the recorded sites. The percentages of caries-free children were 69% (3 years), 57% (4 years) and 52% (5 years). The mean deft scores (standard error) were 1.37 (±0.21), 1.76 (±0.21) and 2.03 (±0.17). The corresponding mean defs scores were 2.04 (±0.44), 2.46 (±0.35) and 3.75 (±0.42). Non-cavitated active lesions, included in the defs scores, represented about 50% of all caries lesions. Early signs of dental fluorosis were identified in 19% (3 years), 17% (4 years) and 9% (5 years) of children. The need for oral health care in the population studied is mainly related to non-operative treatment procedures aimed at controlling the progression of disease. Received: 1 August 1997 / Accepted: 13 February 1998     

武汉市东西湖区5岁儿童口腔健康行为调查

目的:了解东西湖区5岁儿童的基本口腔健康行为及其家长的儿童口腔卫生知识水平,为东西湖区儿童口腔卫生保健工作提供信息支持。方法:按照第三次全国口腔健康流行病学调查方案设计的5岁儿童家长问卷,对东西湖区8所幼儿园529名5岁儿童家长进行问卷调查,了解儿童饮食行为,口腔卫生行为、利用口腔医疗行为,家长口腔保健知识知晓情况。结果:30%的儿童经常有睡前进食甜食的习惯。5%的儿童在3岁前开始刷牙,每日刷牙2次者仅占10%。有5%的儿童使用含氟牙膏刷牙。在过去1年中,90%的儿童没看过牙医。结论:东西湖区5岁儿童口腔健康行为低于全国平均水平,儿童口腔健康行为尚不完善,有必要加强父母的口腔健康教育,建立正确的儿童口腔健康行为。     

Oral health of 12-year-old Bangladeshi children

Previous dental caries studies in Bangladesh have been performed on non-randomized samples, using various clinical criteria. Estimates of dental caries prevalence in 12-year-olds are therefore uncertain. In the present study a clustered, stratified random sampling procedure was used. Dental caries was scored as DMFT in accordance with the WHO recommendations and related to oral hygiene and various behavioral and social variables. The caries experience was found to be low, with a mean DMFT score of 0.97. Poor oral hygiene and bleeding gingiva were frequently detected. Dental caries experience was associated with sex, oral hygiene (girls), and use of dental services (more caries among frequent users than non-users). A correlation matrix analyzing the most influential independent variables indicated that sex and oral hygiene seemed to have an independent effect, whereas a web of social factors interfered with the 'use of dental services' variable.