Assessment of DMFT Score, Salivary Protein, and Flow Rate in UiTM’s Year One Dental Students

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the year one dental students for their score of decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), total salivary protein, and unstimulated and stimulated flow rate of salivary secretions. In addition, correlations between DMFT index with their salivary parameters were also elucidated in our study. Methods: Fifty-seven of dental students were selected in the study, and informed consents were obtained prior to study. Intraoral examination specifically the DMFT scoring was performed. Both salivary proteins in unstimulated and stimulated saliva were measured using Bicinchoninic acid protein assay, and finally flow rates of unstimulated and stimulated saliva were calculated in the study. Data obtained for DMFT score and salivary parameters were analyzed by descriptive test and Spearman’s correlation test using SPSS version 26.0. Software Program (IBM, New York), Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Majority subjects showed DMFT index of 40.6% in DMFT 1-3 and 36.9% in DMFT 4-10 respectively. Statistically significant inverse correlations were observed between salivary total protein and unstimulated salivary flow rate (r=-0.314, p=0.017), and DFMT score with stimulated salivary flow rate (r=-0.244, p=0.067). Conclusion: In our study, majority of first year dental students evidenced DMFT scores of 1-10, with slightly significant associated dental caries prevalence with salivary flow rate. The findings obtained may serve as reference values for the growing interest in saliva as a diagnostic tool in predicting dental caries risk.