Dental Caries and Caries Associated Factors of Six and Seven Year-Old Children Living in a High Fluoride Area

Abstract

Objectives: (1) To examine the prevalence of dental caries and fluorosis in six and seven year-old children living in a high-fluoride area and (2) to study associations between the caries experience and sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and diet in this population. Materials and Methods: Two thousand six and seven year-old children in the first grade of elementary school in Isparta, Turkey, were included in this study. The questionnaires, including questions about sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and diet, were answered by the parents of these children. Three experienced examiners performed the clinical examinations. Results: While 30% of the children studied have no carious primary teeth, 96% have no carious permanent teeth. The mean caries experience (dmft+DMFT) was 3.60 (±3.63). Various degrees of fluorosis were present in 2% of the children’s primary dentition and 28% of the children’s permanent dentition. The father’s and mother’s education, the age of the father when the child was born, when the child’s first dental visit occurred, the frequency of toothbrushing and ingesting sugar-containing soft drinks were all associated with the caries experience. Consclusions: The prevalence of dental caries and fluorosis was high among the studied child population in a high-fluoride area. Sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and diet are risk indicators for caries in this population.