Caries prevalence,severity, and 3‐year increment,and their impact upon New Zealand adolescents' oral‐health‐related quality of life

Objective: To examine dental caries experience among New Zealand adolescents and determine the nature of caries‐associated differences in oral‐health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents. Method: Follow‐up was conducted of a random sample of 430 children first examined in 2003 at age 13, when they completed the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ_11‐14). At age 16, 255 (59.3% of the baseline sample) were re‐examined and again completed the CPQ_11‐14. Results: Caries prevalence (1 + DMFS) rose from 68% to 79.2%; mean DMFS rose from 2.9 (SD 4.7) to 3.6 (SD 4.8), and the prevalence of high caries experience (5 + DMFS) rose from 20.0% to 40.8%. The 3‐year mean net caries increment of 0.5 surfaces (SD 2.6) was dominated by occlusal surfaces. At both ages, overall CPQ_11‐14 scores, as well as emotional well‐being subscale scores, were significantly higher for those with DMFS values of 5 or more. Conclusion: Caries experience increased over the three years; this age group is caries‐active. Dental caries affects adolescents' OHRQoL, although not as strongly as maybe expected.     

半导体激光在深龋治疗中的临床效果

目的 探讨半导体激光机在深龋治疗中的止痛和降低继发龋的作用.方法 选择年龄30～50岁,全身健康状况良好,90位患者的96颗深龋患牙.分成2组,每组48颗患牙.实验组使用半导体激光照射,对照组使用局部麻醉,比较2组的止痛效果;并于治疗后1年、2年、3年后分别复查其继发龋的发生情况,对比两组治疗时的止痛效果以及继发龋的发生率.结果 实验组止痛有效的患牙有35颗、对照组有36颗,2组之间的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;治疗后1年、2年、3年复查,实验组继发龋发生率分别为7.3％、10.3％和16.2％,对照组分别为23.7％、30.6％和37.1％.2组继发龋发生率在统计学上有显著性差异（P＜0.05）.所有复查牙齿均未出现牙髓炎症状.结论 半导体激光仪照射深龋牙后,有止痛效果;并能有效提高牙齿防龋能力,降低继发龋.     

Decayed, missing, and filled teeth among Jewish and Arab schoolchildren in Israel

The purpose of this investigation was to gather information on caries prevalence in schoolchildren of Arab and Jewish populations, and compare caries prevalence according to sex, age and population examined. Altogther, 3672 children were included in the survey (1975 Jews, 1001 of whom were females; and 1697 Arabs, 840 of whom were females). During the examination only dental caries were checked. Caries were marked according to the DMF index. Compared to former years there is an increase in the prevalence of caries throughout the population. A slightly lower caries prevalence was found among Jewish children than among Arab children of the same age. However, when DMF is broken down into its component parts, Arab children were seen to have a greater number of teeth affected by caries and in need of treatment (D). Furthermore, treatment need has been met to a much greater degree among Jewish children than among Arab children. Arab children received almost no dental care.     

Coronal and Root Decay Experience in Older Adults in Ontario, Canada

This paper describes the coronal and root caries experience of subjects aged 50 years and older living in four communities in Ontario, Canada. The data were obtained as part of a comprehensive epidemiologic study of the oral health and treatment needs of this population. Caries experience was defined as the number of decayed and filled coronal and root surfaces per subject. Of 907 subjects interviewed and clinically examined, 78.3 percent were dentate and retained a mean of 18.9 teeth. The mean number of coronal decayed and filled surf aces was 23.9; 95.6 percent of subjects had at least one coronal DFS. The mean number of decayed and filled root surfaces was 3.6; 70.9 percent had at least one root DFS. The percent D/DFS was 3.5 for coronal and 20.0 for root caries. In linear regression analysis the number of teeth, making regular preventive visits, being born in Canada, and educational status emerged as predictors of coronal DFS. Predictors of root DFS were the number of surf aces with recession, the number of coronal DFS, the number of teeth, age, sex, and smoking status. These variables accounted for 42 percent and 35 percent of the variance in the number of coronal and root DFS, respectively.     

Dental caries status of Chinese children in Johannesburg, South Africa

The purpose of this study was to determine the dental health status of a representative sample of Johannesburg Chinese schoolchildren, all 250 attending the only Chinese school in the city. In 18 preschoolchildren, 3--5 years old, 16.7% were caries-free, mean dmft was 7.1 +/- 5.8 and labial caries was present in 33.3%. In 165 primary schoolchildren aged 5--16 years, the mean dmft was 590 +/- 3.2 with 20% of the primary dentition caries-free and the mean DMFT was 2.4 +/- 1.9 4.8% of the primary schoolchildren were caries-free. In 67 high school pupils of 11--17 years, 4.5% were caries-free and the mean DMFT score was 7.1 +/- 3.9. Caries prevalences among the Chinese were similar to corresponding groups of children of Chinese immigrants in the United Kingdom and Malaysia.     

In vitro growth, acidogenicity and cariogenicity of predominant human root caries flora

Streptococcus mutans (Sm), Lactobacillus acidophilus (La) and Actinomyces israelii (Ai) have been associated with root surface caries, which is an increasing problem in elderly Chinese. The aim of this study therefore, was to evaluate in vitro, the growth, acidogenicity and cariogenicity of these organisms, both in mono- and co-cultures using an in vitro model. Forty-eight root specimens were prepared using intact extracted human molars. Fresh, wild-type bacteria obtained from root caries lesions were assembled into seven experimental groups as either mono- or co-cultures and incubated with the root specimens. Appropriate controls were included. Growth curve of each experimental group was monitored for 24 h, aerobically, at 37 °C using a microplate reader. The pH of the medium was recorded after 24-h incubation using a pH meter. Mean depths of artificial root lesions produced in each cultural group were measured using polarized light microscopy in specimens cut into thin sections (100±20 μm). Compared with mono-cultures, synergistic growth was observed in co-cultures of ‘La+Sm’, ‘Ai+La’ and ‘Ai+La+Sm’. Mean lesion depth produced in La group was significantly shallower than other mono- or co-culture groups (p<0.01). The pH values of all culture media were similar after 24-h incubation. The current data elucidate the complex interactions of three predominant bacterial species considered prime agents of human root surface caries.     

Dental caries prevalence in 5-year-old children in Barnsley Area, England

It is important that baseline studies of dental caries prevalence are available prior to the introduction of community water fluoridation. This survey was carried out during the winter of 1975/76 in the low-fluoride Barnsley Area (F= 0.1 parts/10(6)). Caries prevalence is in accord with that of other low-fluoride areas. The mean dmf was 4.5. For the group of children with rampant dental caries, the mean dmf value was much greater (11.3).     

A longitudinal study of occlusal caries among schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical caries status and the radiographic progression of occlusal caries lesions in permanent first and second molars among primary schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam over a 3-year period. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic diagnosis of caries in first and second permanent molars in 223 children aged 8-16 years were carried out annually from 1994 to 1997. The drop-out rates from the baseline in 1994 to the follow-up examinations in 1995, 1996 and 1997 were 16.6%, 22.0% and 35.4%, respectively. Twenty-one percent of the dropouts were picked up during the study. RESULTS: Less that 5% of all occlusal surfaces that were sound at the beginning of the study developed new clinical caries lesions over the 3-year study period. The highest rate of new lesions was found in second molars. The mandibular second molars were most frequently affected by new caries lesions followed by the mandibular first molars. Progression of lesions was generally slow. After 1, 2 and 3 years, 30.0%, 47.9% and 52.8% of lesions in occlusal surfaces of first molars had progressed, compared to 47.9%, 71.3% and 100.0% of lesions in second molars. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries prevalence was low. New occlusal lesions were more likely to appear in mandibular second molars. Carious lesions were progressing slowly, especially in the first molars. Fissure abrasion may play a role in minimizing the risk of developing new occlusal lesions as well as progression of existing lesions.     

Erosion, caries and rampant caries in preschool children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental erosion in preschool children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to relate this to caries and rampant caries in the same children. METHODS: A sample of 987 children (2-5 years) was drawn from 17 kindergartens. Clinical examinations were carried out under standardised conditions by a trained and calibrated examiner (M.Al-M.). Measurement of erosion was confined to primary maxillary incisors and used a scoring system and criteria based on those used in the UK National Survey of Child Dental Health. Caries was diagnosed using BASCD criteria. Rampant caries was defined as caries affecting the smooth surfaces of two or more maxillary incisors. RESULTS: Of the 987 children, 309 (31%) had evidence of erosion. For 186 children this was confined to enamel but for 123 it involved dentine and/or pulp. Caries were diagnosed in 720 (73%) of the children and rampant caries in 336 (34%). The mean dmft for the 987 children was 4.80 (+/-4.87). Of the 384 children who had caries but not rampant caries, 141 (37%) had erosion, a significantly higher proportion than the 72 (27%) out of 267 who were clinically caries free (SND=2.61, P<0.01). Of the 336 with rampant caries, 96 (29%) also had evidence of erosion. CONCLUSIONS: The level of erosion was similar to that seen in children of an equivalent age in the UK. Caries was a risk factor for erosion in this group of children.     

Twelve-year follow-up of caries prevalence and incidence in children and young adults in Espoo, Finland Oral Epidemiology

This follow-up of the oral health of children and young adults in Espoo, Finland, has been carried out using annual check-ups done by dentists at the Espoo Health Center. There was about 80% participation in municipal dental care by 3- to 18-yr-olds. Each age group included 1700-2300 individuals. The DMFT-index for 12-yr-olds was 6.9 initially and only 2.2 at the end of the 12-yr follow-up. The reduced DMFT and increased number of clinically caries free children is probably the cumulative effect of various preventive measures adopted during the follow-up period. The proportional influence of each procedure is unknown.     

Dental caries, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and saliva secretion rate in adults

In 718 Swedish patients, equally divided into four age groups (19-25, 26-45, 46-60, greater than 60 yr), salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, saliva secretion rate, and DMFS were registered. No significant differences were found between the various age groups either in salivary factors or in caries (D). Number of missing (M) and filled (F) surfaces increased with age. Prevalence of root caries, which increased with age, was significantly correlated to number of exposed root surfaces independent of age. Of the total study group, 50% had greater than or equal to 10(6) mutans streptococci and 40% had greater than or equal to 10(5) lactobacilli per mL saliva. Three percent had a saliva secretion rate of less than or equal to 0.5 mL/min. Correlation analyses showed that both mutans streptococci and lactobacilli significantly correlated to the caries prevalence but the r-value never exceeded 0.34.     

Early childhood caries: prevalence and risk factors in Seoul,Korea

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), including noncavitated lesions (d1), in children 6-59 months of age in relation to socioeconomic factors, feeding practices, and oral health behaviors in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: The children attended child care facilities and were selected from 32 primary sampling units. Two dentists examined 470 children. Parents of 383 of the subjects were interviewed by phone regarding caries risk factors. RESULTS: For children 6-59 months of age, the prevalence of ECC and severe ECC were 56.5 percent and 47.0 percent respectively. In bivariate analysis, the children whose nursing bottle contained sweetened solution had higher severe ECC prevalence (P=.035), and children whose parents reported a lower frequency of between-meal snacks showed lower ECC prevalence (P=.046). By logistic regression analysis, age and frequency of between-meal snacks were associated with the prevalence of ECC (P<.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the prevalence of ECC was high among children in Seoul. Early educational intervention programs for pregnant women and mothers of young children should be developed based on the risk factors identified in this study.     

Dental caries and sugar intake, during and between meals, in children of an Israeli Kibbutz

Abstract Forty-eight children of an Israeli Kibbutz, aged 2–6 years, were examined for dental caries and dietary cariogenic intake, during and between meals. Multiple regression analysis was computed. A higher positive regression coefficient was found for caries and “during meals” cariogenic. intake than for caries and “between meals” intake. Both coefficients, but not the difference between them, were found statistically significant.     

广州市海珠区6岁儿童患龋的家庭影响因素

目的:探讨儿童龋病形成的家庭相关因素,为龋病预防提供参考.方法:①采用横断面研究对广州市海珠区1 042名6岁儿童进行口腔检查,了解患龋情况;②对儿童家长进行封闭式问卷调查,主要了解儿童饮食、口腔卫生习惯,家长对口腔保健的知、信、行等内容.结果:1042名受检儿童中,患龋526人,其中男性273人,女性253人,龋损率(50.4％),龋均3.12.儿童日常饮食种类及口腔卫生习惯与其患龋相关;家长口腔保健的知、信、行与儿童患龋相关.结论:减少含糖食品的摄入频率,少吃零食;培养儿童良好的口腔卫生习惯;加大对儿童家长口腔健康教育的力度,是预防儿童龋病的重要措施.     

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.     

Pattern and severity of early childhood caries

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between selected social and behavioural variables and the pattern and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) within a community child population. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 2515 children aged 4-5 years were examined in a preschool setting using decayed, missing, filled teeth/surface (dmft/dmfs) indices and a self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding social, demographic, birth, infant feeding, oral and general health attitudes. Children with caries (847) were divided into anterior or posterior caries pattern groups and severe (dmfs score > or =6) or non-severe (dmfs score <6) caries groups. The data were analysed using a chi-square test and modelled using a logistic regression procedure. RESULTS: Significant variables associated with anterior ECC pattern were ethnicity other than Caucasian (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.4-3.1), sipping from the bottle during the day (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3-2.7), male gender (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2-2.2) and sleeping with a bottle at night (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.2). Significant variables associated with severe ECC form were sipping from the bottle during the day (OR = 2, 95% CI = 1.4-2.8), maternal age at birth < or =24 years (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3-2.7), ethnicity other than Caucasian (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5) and sleeping with a bottle at night (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Infant bottle-feeding habits (either allowing a child to sip from a bottle during the day or put to sleep at night) and ethnicity other than Caucasian were significant determinants for both anterior caries pattern and severity of ECC in 4-5-year-old Australian children.     

Association of caries experience in 12-year-old children in Heidelberg, Germany, and Montpellier, France, with different caries preventive measures

In Germany and France, different approaches to oral health promotion have been chosen. Objectives: It was the aim of the present study to assess whether different preventive measures were positively or negatively associated with caries experience in 12-year-old children in Heidelberg, Germany, and in Montpellier, France. METHODS: In the school year 1998/99, 12-year-old children were examined in Heidelberg (n=864) and in Montpellier (n =828). D3+4MFT, D3+4MFS (D3+4=dentinal caries), prevalence of fissure sealants and use of fluorides were recorded. RESULTS: The mean D3+4MFT scores of the pupils in Heidelberg and Montpellier were 1.56 and 1.42, the proportion of caries-free children being 43.5% and 46.9%, respectively. In 63.2% of the children in Heidelberg and in 6.8% of the children in Montpellier, at least one fissure sealed tooth was found. Fluoridated salt was used by 38.8% of families of the 12-year-olds from Heidelberg and the corresponding value was 73.3% in Montpellier. Topical fluorides were applied by 39.9% of the children in Heidelberg, but only by 5.4% of pupils in Montpellier. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, in Heidelberg, fissure sealants and the combination of topical fluorides and fluoridated salt were negatively associated with the D3+4MFT values, while in Montpellier the frequency of dental visits was positively associated with the D3+4MFT scores. CONCLUSION: A further decrease in the caries experience of 12-year-old children may well be obtainable by enlarging the share of marketed fluoridated salt in Heidelberg, by increasing the application of fissure sealants in Montpellier, and by extending the use of topical fluorides in both cities.