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.     

Dental caries trends in primary teeth among third-grade children in Harris County, Texas

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess trends in dental caries in the primary dentition of third-grade children in suburban Harris County, Texas. METHODS: The study populations for the 2 cross-sectional surveys consisted of 1,584 third-grade children in 1991 and 1,039 in 1998. Trained dentists collected data on decayed and filled tooth surfaces (dfs). Chi-square tests analyzed the differences in proportions of children with and without dental caries experience in 1991 and 1998 by demographic subgroups: (1) gender; (2) ethnicity; and (3) socioeconomic status (SES). Student's t test investigated the differences in mean dfs scores in subgroups. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries decreased significantly from 59% to 54% between 1991 and 1998 (P = .01). The caries prevalence was lower in 1998 than 1991 in certain subgroups: 1) females; 2) Caucasians; and 3) low SES. The mean dfs score decreased significantly from 4.81 to 3.16, and lower dfs scores were seen in certain demographic subgroups between the 2 studies (P < .05). Children from a low SES had high levels of untreated caries in both studies. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a decline in primary teeth caries of study participants, intergroup disparities exist, emphasizing the need for preventive strategies, especially for the low SES children.     

Dental treatment of the primary dentition in 7-12 year-old Swedish children in relation to caries experience at 6 years of age

In most Swedish counties, epidemiological data on the permanent dentition are collected on patients between 7 and 19 years of age. However, for the primary dentition, epidemiological data are only available for the 3-6-year-old age groups. As far as we know, no studies have investigated the relation between caries prevalence in the early primary dentition and caries prevalence or treatment performed in the late primary dentition. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between dental treatment in the primary dentition of Swedish children 7-12 years of age and caries experience in the primary dentition at 6 years of age. This retrospective study is based on record data from a randomly selected sample comprising 10% of all children born in 1987 in J?nk?ping County (n=433). Of these children, 381 had been treated regularly at the Public Dental Service clinics between 7 and 12 years of age and were included in the study. It was found that children with previous caries experience at 6 years of age received significantly more treatment during the studied period compared to children who were caries free at the same age. The children with caries experience required a mean of 3.5 times more treatments compared to caries-free children. The present study underlines the importance of early detection and prevention of caries in the primary dentition if optimal dental health is to be expected in the late primary dentition.     

北京儿童乳恒牙患龋状况八年纵向研究

目的　研究同一样本儿童在 8年中乳牙龋与恒牙龋之间的相关性 ,确定乳牙龋是否可作为恒牙龋危险因素的预测指标。方法　在 1 992年和 2 0 0 0年对北京地区 362名 3～ 4岁儿童的乳恒牙龋调查的基础上 ,分析乳、恒牙龋的相关性。结果　儿童乳、恒牙的患龋率和龋均都有显著的相关性 (P <0 0 1 ) ,乳牙龋儿童的恒牙龋危险是乳牙无龋儿童的近 3倍 (RR =2 6 ,95 %CI=1 4～ 4 7,P <0 0 0 1 )。以乳磨牙龋预测恒牙龋危险的灵敏度达 93 9% (RR =3 3 ,95 %CI =1 8～ 6 1 ,P <0 0 0 1 ) ,特异度为 85 4%。结论　儿童乳牙龋可以作为恒牙龋危险的预测指标     

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.     

Dental caries status of children with bronchial asthma

The purpose of the present study was to determine the dental caries status in children with bronchial asthma and to examine the correlation with the severity of asthma and the form of medication being taken. Two hundred and five asthmatic children of both sexes from three to eighteen years old participated in this study. Children were divided into groups: primary, mixed and permanent dentitions. They were also grouped depending on the severity of asthma into mild, moderate and severe asthma and depending on the form of medication being used into inhaler, syrup, tablet and combination group. In the primary dentition group, the asthmatic children had a mean deft of 5.02 +/- 3.05 and a caries prevalence of 75.75%, in the mixed dentition group, the mean deft was 3.45 +/- 2.89 and mean DMFT was 4.83 +/- 3.66 with a caries prevalence of 78.31%. In the permanent dentition the mean DMFT was 5.17 +/- 4.54 and a caries prevalence of 83.15%. Asthmatic children had a high caries prevalence and it increased with the severity of bronchial asthma. The caries prevalence was highest in those taking medication in the form of syrup.     

Caries in preschool children and its risk factors in 2 provinces in China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current prevalence and severity of caries in primary dentition in a preschool population in 2 provinces in China, and to investigate the relationship between caries experience and sociodemographic factors, parental characteristics, dietary habits, and oral hygiene practice. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of Chinese preschool children aged 3 to 5 years. Clinical examinations were carried out on 2,014 children using the method and criteria established by the World Health Organization. Structured questionnaires for information related to the sociodemographic background, oral hygiene practices, and dietary habits of the children were completed by their mothers. RESULTS: Overall, 45% of children were caries free, and 14% had rampant caries. The mean dmft and dmfs values were 2.57 and 4.25, respectively. The caries prevalence and severity increased with age. The children from rural areas brushed their teeth less regularly and had a higher level of caries experience than those from urban areas. Significant predictors of caries experience were location, area, age, mother's education level, and consumption of fruit juice from a feeding bottle. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that a high proportion of young Chinese children had dental caries and that most decayed teeth were left untreated. The prevalence and severity of caries was associated with socioeconomic status and dietary factors in this sample of children.     

Longitudinal associations between children's dental caries and risk factors

Dental caries is a common disease in children of all ages. It is desirable to know whether children with primary, mixed, and permanent dentitions share risk factors for cavitated and non-cavitated caries. Objective: To assess the longitudinal associations between caries outcomes and modifiable risk factors. Methods: One hundred and fifty-six children in the Iowa Fluoride Study met inclusion criteria of three dental examinations and caries-related risk factor assessments preceding each examination. Surface-specific counts of new non-cavitated caries and cavitated caries at the primary (Exam 1: age 5), mixed (Exam 2: age 9) and permanent (Exam 3: age 13) dentition examinations were outcome variables. Explanatory variables were caries-related factors, including averaged beverage exposure frequencies, tooth brushing frequencies, and composite water fluoride levels collected from 3-5, 6-8, and 11-13 years, dentition category, socioeconomic status, and gender. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to explore the relationships between new non-cavitated or cavitated caries and caries-related variables. Results: Greater frequency of 100 percent juice exposure was significantly associated with fewer non-cavitated and cavitated caries surfaces. Greater tooth brushing frequency and high socioeconomic status (SES) were significantly associated with fewer new non-cavitated caries. Children had significantly more new cavitated caries surfaces at the mixed dentition examination than at the primary and permanent dentition examinations. Conclusions: There were common caries-related factors for more new non-cavitated caries across the three exams, including less frequent 100 percent juice exposure, lower tooth brushing frequency and lower SES. Less frequent 100 percent juice exposures might be associated with higher exposures to several other cariogenic beverages.     

Prevalence of noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions in 5-year-old head start schoolchildren in Alachua County, Florida

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of early carious lesions is essential for nonsurgical management of dental caries. This report describes the prevalence of early noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions in the primary dentition of 5-year-old Head Start schoolchildren in Alachua, Fla. METHODS: As part of the Fluoride Varnish Study conducted at the University of Florida, modified caries diagnostic criteria-which differentiated caries lesion activity and severity-were developed for the primary teeth. Dental examinations were conducted on 221 children ages 5 years by 2 calibrated examiners. RESULTS: Overall, 86% of the children had experienced noncavitated or cavitated caries lesions in the primary dentition. Prevalence of cavitated dentinal lesions was 48%, and prevalence of active noncavitated enamel lesions was 71%. The mean number of active noncavitated enamel lesions (mean +/- SEM: 2.91 +/- 0.21) was slightly higher than the mean number of cavitated dentinal lesions (2.52 +/- 0.31). The mean number of restored surfaces was 1.24 (+/- 0.42), and only 8% of the children had 1 or more restored surfaces. Noncavitated lesions were most common on occlusal surfaces, especially in mandibular second molars. African-American children had a higher prevalence of noncavitated lesions (81%) than whites (69%) or others (33%; P<.0001). Prevalence of cavitated lesions was 49% for African Americans, 46% for whites, and 48% for others. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that noncavitated enamel and cavitated dentinal lesions are common in this study population's primary dentition. There is a need for preventive measures and treatment of decay in these children living in low-income families.     

Prevalence of dental caries among children in a rural Tanzanian community

The age specific prevalences of mixed caries were determined in 346 children aged 1 to 15 years in a rural community in Morogoro Region, south-eastern Tanzania. In primary dentition 58.9% of children were caries free while dmf index averages 1.08. In permanent dentition 74.3% were caries free while DMF index averaged 0.43. Permanent dentition showed a constant increase in caries prevalence with age such that over half of 15 year old children had caries experience with a DMF index of 1.2. This relatively low prevalence of caries is associated with low consumption of refined sugars. Recommendations are made to support preventive dental health services and programmes in primary schools and maternal and child health clinics.     

成都地区混合牙列期及恒牙列初期儿童错牙合畸形患病率的调查研究

目的    调查研究成都地区混合牙列期及恒牙列初期儿童错牙合畸形的患病率,分析影响错牙合畸形发生的相关危险因素。方法    通过问卷调查及临床检查的方法,抽样调查5 ~ 13岁处于混合牙列期及恒牙列初期成都地区2056名儿童的错牙合畸形患病情况,统计错牙合畸形患病率并分析其可能的危险因素。结果    调查儿童患龋率为59.78%,龋均为2.33。混合牙列期儿童错牙合畸形患病率为64.64%,恒牙列初期错牙合畸形患病率为71.01%。错牙合畸形发生的危险因素包括龋病（OR = 3.805,95%CI：3.029 ~ 4.778,P < 0.001）、错牙合畸形遗传史（OR = 2.251,95%CI：1.219 ~ 4.156,P = 0.010）、口腔不良习惯（OR = 18.794,95%CI：9.643 ~ 36.629,P < 0.001）及食物精细（过于精细食物OR = 7.016,95%CI：4.557 ~ 10.802,P < 0.001;一般精细食物OR = 3.714,95%CI：2.587 ~ 5.333,P < 0.001）。结论    成都地区混合牙列期及恒牙列初期儿童患龋率及错牙合畸形患病率均处于较高水平;错牙合畸形发生的危险因素包括龋病、错牙合畸形遗传史、口腔不良习惯及食物过于精细。     

先天性心脏病儿童龋齿患病情况及相关因素研究

目的研究先心病儿童龋病患病情况并分析其影响因素。方法选取北京安贞医院小儿心脏病房100例2~15岁先心病儿童进行患龋状况调查并对其进行问卷调查,收回有效问卷100份,统计分析龋齿与其影响因素间的关系。结果先心病儿童乳牙列及混合牙列期龋患率为57.6%和54.2%,5岁组龋均为3.94,非青紫型儿童龋失补牙数大于青紫型儿童（P=0.014）。结论与第三次全国口腔健康流行病学调查结果相比,先心病儿童乳牙列及混合牙列期龋患率高,龋齿充填率低。进食含糖类食品频率低的儿童龋齿发病率低,受教育水平高的父母孩子口内的龋齿少。     

Exploring the association between overweight and dental caries among US children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age-specific body mass index (BMI-for-age) and dental caries among US children. METHODS: Body measures data and oral health data came from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Outcome measures for primary and permanent dentitions were: (1) dental caries prevalence; and (2) severity (geometric mean dft and DMFT). Covariates included: (1) age; (2) gender; (3) race/ethnicity; and (4) poverty status. Analysis was limited to children 2 to 17 years old. RESULTS: Approximately 36% of overweight children 2 to 6 years old and 39% of overweight children 6 to 17 years old had dental caries. Geometric mean dental caries scores for overweight children were dft=3.3 and DMFT=2.5 for primary and permanent dentitions, respectively. Controlling for covariates, there was no significant association between BMI-for-age and dental caries prevalence in either dentition. In addition, among children with a positive history of dental caries, BMI-for-age was significantly associated with dental caries severity in the permanent dentition - overweight children had a lower geometric mean DMFT than did normal weight children. CONCLUSIONS: Although it was hypothesized that age-specific body mass index would be associated with increased dental caries prevalence and severity, these associations were not found. Rather, overweight was found to be associated with lower geometric mean DMFT. Future studies should address which factors specific to overweight in children might be protective against dental caries in the permanent dentition. Given the importance of overweight as a public health problem, however, clinicians are encouraged to continue providing health education and dietary counseling to their overweight child patients.     

Caries experience in children with various genetic sensitivity levels to the bitter taste of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP): a pilot study

PURPOSE: The objective of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of coronal dental caries among children with different genetic sensitivity levels of taste, as determined by 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). METHODS: Coronal caries and restorations in permanent and primary dentition were evaluated in 150 healthy school-aged children aged 6 to 12 years. A filter paper containing 6-n-propylthiouracil was used to determine each subject's genetic ability to taste bitter and sweet substances. Supertasters perceived stronger tastes from a variety of bitter and sweet substances than both medium tasters and nontasters. The data were analyzed by ANOVA with Duncan's multiple range test, Mantel-Haenszel chi-square, multiple linear regression analyses, and Pearson's coefficient of correlation. RESULTS: The nontasters had more mean decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dfs/DMFS) than tasters. The values of mean decayed and filled surfaces of primary dentition and mean decayed, missing, and filled surfaces of permanent dentition (dfs/DMFS) and mean decayed surfaces of primary dentition and permanent dentition (ds/DS) were significantly higher in nontasters than in medium tasters, and in medium tasters compared with supertasters. After adjusting for missing teeth, the data were expressed as a percentage of the available surfaces, and the significant differences in dfs/DMFS and ds/DS persisted (r = -0.49, P < .001 and r = -0.51, P < .0001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: After all associated factors were controlled, taste was the only independent variable significantly related to overall caries experience. The results of this study suggested an increased prevalence of overall caries experience in nontaster children.     

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 prevalence amongst schoolchildren in the Hague. A comparison with the results from a survey in 1996 and previous years

Starting in 1969, periodic cross-sectional examinations of schoolchildren have been carried out in the city of The Hague (the Netherlands). The results of 1996 show that no further change in caries prevalence has taken place in 5- and 7-year-old Dutch children of low, medium and high SES. In 11-year-old children of medium and high SES a further decrease in caries prevalence could be observed in 1996. Between 1989 and 1996 a significant caries decrease in the deciduous dentition was found amongst 5-year-old children from Turkey and Morocco. No improvement of dental health in 7-year-olds was found. Since 1989 an increase in percentages of caries-free 11-year-olds from Turkey took place whereas this percentage in children from Morocco tended to stabilize (26 and 29% respectively in 1989 and 1996).     

Dental caries prevalence and treatment need among racial/ethnic minority schoolchildren

A study was undertaken to estimate dental caries prevalence and treatment need among racial/ethnic minority schoolchildren in the Bronx. Oral examinations were conducted on 148 second graders, 193 fourth graders and 299 sixth graders in three different schools. A single examiner trained to use the DMFS index according to National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) diagnostic criteria and procedures examined all the children between November 1999 and July 2000. The study revealed that 39% of the children exhibited dental caries experience in their permanent dentition (mean DMFS = 1.45), treatment need (D/DMFS = 28%); 26.4% of children in their primary dentition (mean dfs = 1.01) and treatment need (d/dfs = 18%). Hispanic children (mean DMFS = 1.71) had higher dental caries experience compared to African-Americans (mean DMFS = 1.14). This was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.004). Treatment need in Hispanics was (30%, 17%) and in African-Americans (30%, 18%) in permanent and primary dentition respectively. Treatment need was highest among sixth grade African-Americans in their permanent dentition and in second grade Hispanics in the primary dentition. The study showed a difference in dental caries prevalence, but the treatment need percentages did not differ between Hispanics and African-Americans in both dentition.     

Interdental spacing and caries in the primary dentition

PURPOSE: This study assessed the relationship between interdental spacing patterns and caries experience in the primary dentition. METHODS: Caries examinations were conducted amoung 356 children 4 to 6 years of age. At the time of the examinations, alginate impressions were obtained and poured in yellow stone. From the stone casts, each interdental area was categorized as: (1) space > 1 mm, (2) space < 1 mm, (3) no space, teeth in contact, or (4) no space, teeth overlapped. These categories were collapsed into presence or absence of space for each interdental site, and counted for each individual. Analyses assessed the relationships between interdental spacing and caries experience with separate analyses for anterior spacing, posterior spacing and total spacing. RESULTS: Children with more total interdental spaces had less decay experience and less untreated decay than children with fewer interdental spaces, and children with more molar spacing had less molar decay experience; however, these relationships were weak. Correlation analyses demonstrated significant relationships between number of decayed surfaces and total number of interdental spaces (r=-0.11, P=.04) and number of molar sites with interdental spaces (r=-0.13, P=.02). Multivariate analyses revealed the total number of interproximal spaces to be weakly associated with interproximal caries experience, but that fluoride exposure was a much stronger predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of interdental spaces is weakly associated with greater decay experience in the primary dentition.     

Dental caries prevalence in the primary dentition of cerebral-palsied children

The aim of this study was to evaluate dental caries prevalence in the primary dentition of children with cerebral palsy, as well as to determine some possible risk factors involved in establishing this disease. From this study, it was concluded that children with cerebral palsy had greater prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition than normal children, and that the evaluated risk factors did not influence this result.