Comparing the Caries Prevalence between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Children in Remote New South Wales, Australia: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the caries prevalence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children two to five years of age. Methods: A sample of young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from remote New South Wales Australia was recruited. Children with parental consent participated in dental examinations which were undertaken by one calibrated examiner who recorded the decayed, missing and filled teeth/surfaces. Results: 268 children were examined. The decayed missing and filled teeth scores were significantly higher for Aboriginal children (p = <0.01). Most Aboriginal children examined had decayed teeth (n= 55, 52.4%) unlike non-Aboriginal participants (n = 27, 16.6%). Conclusion: Aboriginal children in remote areas of New South Wales have a significantly higher prevalence of dental caries when compared with their non-Aboriginal peers.