Association between biofilm-forming isolates of mutans streptococci and caries experience in adults

Objectives

Although it is still controversial, mutans streptococci (MS) have been typically considered the primary etiological agents of dental caries. Besides the acidogenic and aciduric properties, extracellular polysaccharide synthesis leading to biofilm formation from sugar constitutes one of the key virulence factors of MS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biofilm formation by MS was associated to an increased experience of caries in young adults.

Methods

A cross sectional study with a total of 96 randomly selected patients aged 15-27 years old was carried out. DMFT was determined by clinical examination and bite-wing radiographs. A sample of stimulated saliva was obtained and seeded on agar plates to culture MS. Colonies with and without biofilm formation were identified and quantified.

Results

When the total MS count was considered, levels of MS were not associated with higher caries experience. 50% of the patients showed at least one biofilm-forming colony. Patients with biofilm-forming colonies showed significantly higher DMFT (p < 0.001) than individuals whose plates did not reveal the structure surrounding the colony, but only at the low and moderate MS count.

Conclusion

Biofilm formation in MS appears to be associated with higher caries experience in individuals with low counts of the cariogenic microorganism.     

滨海新区儿童口腔氟牙症和龋齿流行病学调查

目的 调查滨海新区适龄儿童氟斑牙与窝沟龋的患病情况, 探讨氟斑牙与窝沟龋的关系, 为氟斑牙与窝沟龋的防治提出指导意见。 方法 参考《WHO 口腔健康调查基本方法》（第四版）, 并参照第三次全国口腔流行病学调查方法, 采用横断面调查研究方法对 3 778 名 7～ 9 岁教育水平相近的儿童进行氟斑牙与窝沟龋情况进行调查。结果 样本中氟牙症发生率<10%, 社区氟牙症指数（CFI） 为 0.075。 男学生第一恒磨牙的患龋率和龋均分别是 15.57%、0.46, 而女学生第一恒磨牙的患龋率和龋均分别是 17.41%、0.58。 男女间第一恒磨牙患龋率（χ2=2.345, P＞ 0.05）和龋均无差异。 不同年级组患龋率（χ2=172.576,P＜ 0.05）和龋均有差异,两者均随年级的增长而上升。 结论 天津市经过多年改水降氟工程之后, 在本地区儿童氟斑牙检出率及氟斑牙指数已经呈现下降趋势; 患龋率可能与第一恒磨牙的萌出率存在相关性。     

Oral health, related behaviors and oral health impacts among homeless adults

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oral health needs, related behavior and oral health impact among homeless persons in Newark, New Jersey. METHODS: Participants represented a convenience sample of adults (n=46) participating in Homeless Services Day, an annual event sponsored by the Homeless Services Division of the Newark, NJ Department of Health and Human Services. Their mean age was 40.4 yr (SD=10.0), and 51.1% were female. The majority (76%) reported African-American ethnicity; remaining participants self-identified as Hispanic, White or Asian. Participants reported being homeless for a median of 11 months, with a range of 1 to 108 months. RESULTS: The 46 participants had 745 teeth (averaged 16.2 per person) that were either missing, had fillings or had untreated decay. Diseased teeth averaged 3.8 per person; missing teeth averaged 8.6 per person; and filled teeth averaged 3.7 per person. Only 28.3% had a dental visit in the past year. Approximately 87% reported negative oral health impacts impact: over half (55.6%) had current oral facial pain and two-thirds of our participants reported having dental-related face pain during the past year. Additional oral health impacts included: eating (42%), smiling (33%), concentrating (18%) and talking (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies, this homeless sample presented with considerable oral health needs. Newark's homeless, like other homeless cohorts, face access to care and negative oral health impacts. This study informs the need for future research that can provide substantive evidence for care providers and policy makers.     

乌鲁木齐市中小学生第一恒磨牙患龋情况调查分析

目的：了解新疆乌鲁木齐市中小学生第一恒磨牙患龋情况,为防治对策提供依据.方法： 采用分层整群随机抽样的方法,对乌鲁木齐市7所中小学校,年龄在7～15岁的3 005名不同民族的学生行第一恒磨牙龋病患病率的调查.结果： 第一恒磨牙总患龋率为13.58%,总体龋均为2.07.随着年龄的增长,第一恒磨牙患龋率有明显升高趋势（P＜0.01）;男性患龋率（10.70%）明显低于女性（16.72%）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;汉、维吾尔、哈萨克和回族第一恒磨牙的患龋率分别为16.95%、10.07% 、9.80% 和19.58%,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.龋失补牙数为844颗,其中龋齿数随年龄增长呈增加趋势.结论： 乌鲁木齐市中小学生（儿童少年）第一恒磨牙的患龋率较高,患龋程度严重,应加强对第一恒磨牙龋病的预防和治疗.     

Dental fluorosis and dental caries among 12-yr-old children from high- and low-fluoride areas in Lithuania

We investigated the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis, and the occurrence of dental caries, among 12-yr-old children from high- and low-fluoride areas in a country with high caries figures and a developing oral healthcare system. The sample included a total of 600 lifetime residents from high-fluoride (HF; 1.7-2.2 ppm) and low-fluoride (LF; 0.2 ppm) areas in Lithuania. The diagnoses of dental fluorosis followed the Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index (TF), and a diagnosis of dental caries followed the World Health Organization criteria. In the HF area, 66% of the 12-yr-old children had dental fluorosis (TF score > 0) compared with 4% in the LF area. The maximum TF severity scores were 7 and 3, respectively. The mean number of teeth with fluorosis was 4.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.0, 5.0] for the HF group and 0.2 (95% CI = 0.1, 0.2) for the LF group. In the HF group, 72% had a decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) score of > 0, compared with 87% in the LF group. The mean DMFT was 2.0 (95% CI = 1.8, 2.3) in the HF group and 3.5 (95% CI = 3.2, 3.8) in the LF group. Current untreated caries (DT) occurred (DT >0) in half of both the HF and LF groups. Regardless of the concentration of fluoride in the drinking water, the prevalence of past (DMFT > 0) and present (DT > 0) caries was high, calling for more emphasis on the prevention of tooth decay in countries, such as Lithuania, with high caries figures and a developing oral healthcare system.     

Comparison of oral health indicators between two places of endemic dental fluorosis in Jordan

IntroductionExcessive fluoride intake during tooth development causes dental fluorosis.AimThis study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis in association with fluoride concentrations in drinking water, (2) explore the effects of altitude on the severity of fluorosis in two towns with high fluoride levels in the drinking water, and (3) assess decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and oral hygiene practices among participants.Material and methodsThe sample consisted of 100 and 141 schoolchildren, aged 15.3 ± 1.4 and 16.1 ± 1.3 years, living in Ruwaished and Kuraymah, respectively. Oral examinations were carried out, and dental fluorosis was assessed using the Dean’s index. The DMFT index was also used for assessment. Samples of drinking water were analyzed using a fluoride-ion selective electrode. SPSS was used to analyze the data.ResultsTwo-thirds (68.8%) of adults from Kuraymah had moderate to severe fluorosis, with only 7% being unaffected. In Ruwaished, 50% of the sample had severe fluorosis, 22% showed moderate fluorosis, and none were unaffected. The average DMFT scores were 3.18 ± 1.81 and 3.81 ± 1.41 for Kuraymah and Ruwaished, respectively. In both towns, males had significantly higher caries scores than females. Oral hygiene was poor, as 64% and 57% of the participants from Kuraymah and Ruwaished, respectively, did not brush their teeth. A significant correlation was found between poor oral hygiene and increased DMFT scores.ConclusionsThis study concluded that higher fluorosis incidence and severity were present in the higher-altitude location (Ruwaished). Moreover, this study also indicated that fluorosed teeth are not immune to caries, and the preventive management of dental fluorosis should be directed to de-fluoridation of drinking water in endemic areas.     

铜山县高氟区少年龋病和氟斑牙患病情况的调查

目的调查徐州市铜山县高氟区12~15岁人群氟斑牙和龋病的流行情况,探究龋病患病患病率、龋均与氟斑牙之间的相关关系,为高氟区少年的氟斑牙和龋病的防治提供参考。方法参考第二次全国口腔健康流行病学抽样查的基本方法与诊断标准和Dean氟牙症分类标准,对高氟区12~15岁初中学生氟斑牙和龋病的患病情况进行检查记录。结果社区氟斑牙指数Fci为2.52,为氟斑牙重度流行区域;诊断为氟斑牙的人群中各年龄组氟斑牙患病率无差异;本次调查人群总患龋率为22.7%;氟斑牙人群的患龋率各年龄组间无显著性差异,龋均各年龄组间差异无显著性;诊断为氟斑牙的患龋病人群中患龋率比较不同记分组有显著性差异(P=0.042),重度组与轻度组比较及重度组与非氟斑牙组比较,龋均均有显著性差异。结论高氟区12~15岁少年的氟斑牙人群的患龋率与非氟斑牙人群比有显著性差异(P=0.000),其中记分为重度的组患龋率比轻度的组和非氟斑牙组高。     

佛山市南海区初中生恒牙龋病调查

目的掌握佛山市南海区初中生恒牙患龋情况,为以后更好开展初中生口腔保健工作提供参考。方法2004～2008年每年1～4月对佛山市南海区共41所公办初级中学学生进行口腔普查,对恒牙患龋率、龋均、充填率等指标进行统计,分析近5年南海区初中生龋病的患病情况。结果近5年,南海区初中生恒牙患龋率从39.19%下降到35.08%,龋均从0.88下降到0.74。充填率从32.77%上升到36.79%。结论佛山南海区初中生恒牙龋病得到有效控制,但是充填率上升缓慢,大部分龋齿没有得到及时治疗。