Abstract
BackgroundTibet, a region where average elevation is above 3500 m and socio-economic development is relatively lower, was not included in National Oral Health Survey over decades. The cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the status of dental caries and associated factors in Tibetan adults.MethodsParticipants aged 35–44, 55–64 and 65–74 years were selected. Decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT), decayed and filled root (DF-Root) and root canal index (RCI) were used to evaluate dental caries. Questionnaire survey on demographic information, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and oral health knowledge and behavior was conducted. Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression were used for the statistical analyses.ResultsA total of 446 participants were enrolled in the survey. Of these: 222 (49.8%) were females, 224 (50.2%) were males; 149 (33.4%), 151 (33.9%), 146 (32.7%) were aged 35–44, 55–64 and 65–74 years respectively. The mean DMFT (SD) was 7.62 (4.84), 12.46 (8.16), and 21.38 (8.93). The filling rate was very low in all age groups (1.77%, 0.98%, 0.45%). The mean DF-Root (SD) was 0.50 (1.04), 1.04 (2.02), 1.32 (2.14), respectively. Root caries index was 42.27, 44.78 and 57.60%. Older age (65–74 age group) was positively associated with crown caries (odds ratio = 31.20, 95% confidence interval: 10.70–90.96). College degree and above and brushing teeth at least once a day were negatively associated with crown caries (odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.09–0.89; odds ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.72, respectively). Rural area, high income level and brushing teeth at least once a day were negatively and tooth with attachment loss was positively associated with root caries.ConclusionsThe status of dental caries in the adults in Tibet is severe and the treatment rate is very low. The study suggests a correlation between crown caries and the variables age, level of education and frequency of tooth brushing; correlation between root caries and residence, income level, frequency of tooth brushing and exposed root surfaces. These findings could be as reference to develop community based interventions to reduce the prevalence of caries in Tibet.
Highlights
Tibet, a region where average elevation is above 3500 m and socio-economic development is relatively lower, was not included in National Oral Health Survey over decades
In the United States (US), the 2013–2014 National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey showed that 33.4% of adults aged 21–64 years old had untreated coronal dental caries [7]
The prevalence of caries in three age groups was 98, 98 and 100%, respectively, and no difference was found between males and females and between urban and rural
Summary
A region where average elevation is above 3500 m and socio-economic development is relatively lower, was not included in National Oral Health Survey over decades. The cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the status of dental caries and associated factors in Tibetan adults. In the United States (US), the 2013–2014 National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey showed that 33.4% of adults aged 21–64 years old had untreated coronal dental caries [7]. In Guangdong province of China, an epidemiological investigation conducted in 2015–2016 showed that the prevalence of caries on crown among age groups of 34–44, 55–64 and 65–74 years was 71.18, 77.08 and 81.2%, respectively, and the prevalence of root caries was 28.47, 59.38 and 63.19% [9, 10]. Facing with the high prevalence and burdens worldwide, caries is the primary cause of oral pain and tooth loss [11], and significantly affect the general health and quality of life of people globally [2, 12]
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