Prevalence of Caries among Schoolchildren in the Interior of Suriname.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of caries among children living in the interior of Suriname and to investigate the influence of the reachability of their habitats and different ethnicities on the prevalence of caries. As part of children's regular dental check-ups, data on the prevalence of caries were registered for schoolchildren (n = 1,309) living in four different regions. Prevalence of caries was expressed by the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT index). Consequences of severe caries were recorded by counting the number of teeth with pulp involvement, ulcerations, fistulas, and abscesses. Depending on the habitat, the number of children with caries in their primary dentition varied between 68% and 100%, in the mixed dentition between 79% and 98%, and in their permanent dentition between 54% and 94%. After the World Health Organization criteria, the average scores of dmft were high in children with primary teeth (except for Brokopondo), moderate to high in children with mixed dentition and low to moderate in children with permanent teeth. Children in more remote areas had a greater prevalence of caries than children in less remote regions. Severe consequences of caries were seen in 14-75% of the children. Treatments were rarely performed. Children in the interior of Suriname are in great need of preventive and curative dental treatments.