Caries Experience Research Articles

Trends and age-period-cohort effect on dental caries prevalence from 2008 to 2019 among Brazilian preschoolers.

This study aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence of dental caries in preschool children and associated factors considering different time variations. This is a time series study performed using data from three cross-sectional studies with pre-school children from southern Brazil in 2008, 2013 and 2019. This children group was born between the years of 2003 to 2018. Dental caries was evaluated by decayed, missing and filled deciduous teeth (dmft index). Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural and psychosocial variables were also collected. Chi-square test for trends and a hierarchical age-period-cohort (HAPC) analysis using multilevel Poisson regression model for testing the associations between predictor variables and dental caries experience were used. A total of 1,644 pre-school children participated in all surveys. There was a significant difference in caries experience considering all APC effects. The prevalence of dental caries was 25.0% in 2008, 16.3% in 2013, and 19.4% in 2019 (p < 0.01) and no statistical difference was observed. An age effect showed that older children were more likely to experience dental caries. Considering the cohort effect, there is a significant difference between the generations, mainly between 2003 and 2018. Household income, use of dental services, and parent's perception of child oral health were associated with dental caries experience no matter the time variation. Despite recent declines in dental caries prevalence among preschool children, caries levels increased with age and social inequalities persisted through the years, indicating a need of reviewing the policies to reduce the burden of this oral disease.

Oral Health Status of Workers in Acid Exposure Environments in Japan: A Cross-sectional Study.

Although the working environment may play a role in dental acid erosion, few studies have been conducted on this in Japanese workers in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate oral health status, including dental erosion, in workers who may have been exposed to an acidic environment. The study participants were recruited by an online research company. Oral examinations and questionnaire surveys were conducted on this cohort in January 2023. A total of 144 participants were finally included. Workers exposed to an acidic environment showed more use of protective equipment and underwent more dental examinations at the workplace (p<0.001). Possible dental erosion was observed in only 3 out of the total of 144 participants (2.1%), however. No significant difference was observed in the number of teeth, caries experience, or dental erosion according to the number of years of acid exposure in the workplace. The results of this study suggest that acid exposure exerts a relatively small effect on the oral health status of workers in Japan.

Association between underlying dentin shadows (ICDAS 4) and OHRQoL among adolescents from southern Brazil.

This study aimed to assess the association between underlying dentin shadows (UDS) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 15-19-year-old adolescents from southern Brazil. This population-based cross-sectional study included a representative sample of 1,197 15-19-year-old adolescents attending 31 public and private schools from Santa Maria, Brazil. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate the OHRQoL, and clinical examinations were performed by two calibrated examiners (intra/interexaminer kappa values for caries examination ≥ 0.80) to diagnose UDS (ICDAS code 4 caries lesions). Sociodemographic information and clinical characteristics (overall caries experience, traumatic dental injury, malocclusion, and gingivitis) were also collected as adjusting variables. Multilevel Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between UDS and OHRQoL. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. The UDS prevalence was 8.8% (n = 106 adolescents). In the adjusted models, adolescents with UDS had poorer OHRQoL than those without UDS, and the strength of the association was dependent on the number of lesions per individual. Individuals with 1-2 UDS had a mean OHIP-14 score 8% higher (RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1.01-1.17) than adolescents without UDS, while those with 3-4 UDS had a mean score 35% higher (RR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.12-1.63). This negative association was related to physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap domains. This study showed that UDS was associated negatively with OHRQoL among 15-19-year-old adolescents from southern Brazil. The negative effect of UDS on OHRQoL emphasizes the importance of addressing issues regarding OHRQoL even in the posterior teeth of adolescents.

Assessment of oral bacteria potentially associated with the mobile microbiome in children with congenital heart disease.

In this case-control study, we aimed to investigate the specific oral pathogens potentially associated with the mobile microbiome in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Caries, oral hygiene and gingival indices were evaluated in 20 children with CHD and a healthy control group, and venous blood samples and saliva were collected. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), blood samples were analyzed for the presence of bacterial DNA to determine the mobile microbiome, and saliva samples were analyzed to identify and quantify target microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans (Sm) and its serotype k (Smk), Fusobacterium. nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Scardovia wiggsiae (Sw) and Aggregitibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and its JP2 clone (JP2). The findings were analyzed by Mann Whitney U, chi-square, Fisher's exact and Spearman's Correlation tests. Bacterial DNA was identified in two blood samples. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding the presence and counts of bacteria in saliva. However, the CHD group exhibited significantly lower caries and higher gingival index scores than the control group. The presence of Pg and Aa were significantly associated with higher gingival index scores. Sm and Smk counts were significantly correlated with caries experience. A positive correlation was found between Fn and total bacteria counts. In conclusion, the mobile microbiome, which has been proposed as a potential marker of dysbiosis at distant sites, was very rare in our pediatric population. The counts of target microorganisms which are potentially associated with the mobile microbiome did not differ in children with CHD and healthy children.

Socioeconomic status in life course is associated with dental appearance dissatisfaction.

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance among 24-year-old Brazilian adults and the associated factors in life course. A subsample (n = 720) of the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort in southern Brazil was investigated at the ages of 15 and 24 years using clinical (caries and periodontal) examinations and interviews. The outcome was dissatisfaction with dental appearance at the age of 24 years. Covariate variables included socioeconomic factors, oral health, and dissatisfaction with general appearance collected during different periods of life. Poisson regression models with robust variance were applied. The prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance was 43.5% (95%CI: 39.8-47.1). Individuals with downward income mobility (PR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.07-1.79) and those always poor (PR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.00-1.57) presented a higher prevalence of dissatisfaction with their dental appearance even after oral health variables and dissatisfaction with general appearance were controlled for. Moderate/severe malocclusion at 15 years (PR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.13-1.59), highest experience of untreated dental caries at 24 years (PR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.46-2.27), and dental pain experience at 24 years (PR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.22-1.75) were associated with the outcome. Also, the prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance was 20% higher (PR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.01-1.43) among those dissatisfied with their general appearance. Our findings demonstrated a high prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance among young adults. Lifetime economic disadvantage and dental problems (malocclusion at 15 years, untreated dental caries at 24 years, and dental pain at 24 years) were associated with dissatisfaction with dental appearance among young adults.

Quality of life in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral conditions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies (BCDH). The study was cross-sectional and included 61 individuals aged 2 to 18 years with BCDH. Exams for dental caries (dmft/DMFT index), oral hygiene (simplified oral hygiene index - OHI-S), and gingival health (modified gingival index - MGI) were performed. The pediatric quality of life inventory™ (PedsQL™) generic core scale and oral health scale were used to measure HRQoL and OHRQoL. Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) and the Mann-Whitney test (α = 0.05) were conducted to assess the relationship between covariates and the PedsQL™ oral health scale. The mean PedsQL™ oral health scale score was 76.66 (SD = 21.36). Worse OHRQoL was correlated with poor oral hygiene (ρ = -0.383; p: 0.004), poor gingival health (ρ = -0.327; p = 0.014), and better HRQoL (ρ = 0.488; p < 0.001). Greater untreated dental caries experience was associated with worse OHRQoL (p = 0.009). Worse oral health status in children and adolescents with BCDH negatively impacts OHRQoL, and OHRQoL and quality of life analyzed from a generic perspective are positively correlated constructs in this population.

Index of Caries Experience – A Composite System for Recording Dental Caries

Abstract Introduction: Measurement of dental caries is imperative for its prevention and control. The present study was conducted with the aim of developing a dental caries index that is reliable, reversible, and valid. A cross-sectional study was designed and conducted at the outreach dental clinics of a dental school in India. Methods and Material: A total of 219 patients visiting outreach centres participated in the study. Patients attending outreach dental clinics aged 15 years and above, who were dentate and affected by dental caries, were included. Clinical examination was done under clinical conditions with dental chair lighting. Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Index of Caries Experience (ICE) were recorded using the visuo-tactile method according to the index criteria. Results: The relationship between the DMFT and ICE was determined. Results showed that the DMFT from ICE had good correlation. The decayed teeth index (DTI) score varied from decayed teeth (DT) according to age and sex. DTI was significantly higher for females than for males and higher among younger age groups than older ones, but DT did not exhibit the differences. Conclusions: ICE is a new system in which the proviso is to measure the non-cavitated lesions and health of permanent dentition. DMFT and ICE have good correlation. DTI is more sensitive than the DT score.

Dental problems in children with autism: a 5-year study.

Caries experience of children and complex clinical circumstances are an actual challenge for any healthcare professional. To investigate the early childhood caries (ECC) in autistic and non autistic children (≤4 years of age) evaluating the amount of dental damage and the treatments carried out in both groups. Data regarding the oral health status of 40 patients (≤4 years of age) were assembled. The sample group was constituted of 20 autistic children (12 males with a mean age of 2.5 years and 8 females with a mean age of 3.2 years) whereas 20 patients without the autistic spectrum represented the control group (11 males with a mean age of 3 and 9 females with a mean age of 3.3 years). There were no significant differences between the two groups as regards both the extent of dental damage and the treatments carried out. About the frequency, in the autistic group, the most frequent caries were the white spots and enamel proximal lesions (2.2%), followed by only white spots (1.2%) and brown-black cavities and root stumps (0.6%). In the control group, the brown-black cavities and root stumps represented the most frequent findings (2.2%), followed by white spots and enamel proximal lesions (1.4%) and white spots (0.4%). Regarding the treatments, the most repeated management of dental damage among autistic patients was composite restorations (2.2%) while in nonautistic patients were tooth extractions (2%).

Survey on Dental Caries Experience of Students in Vientiane Province, Laos

Survey on Dental Caries Experience of Students in Vientiane Province, Laos

The Overview of Correct Toothbrushing and Diet Habit Towards Oral Health Status Using Indonesian Digital Caries Risk Assessment (IDCRA)

Abstract. Dental caries is an infectious disease in oral health and has become a major problem in Indonesia due to a lack of awareness. There are several causes of dental caries, such as consuming sugary snacks and toothbrushing habits which are common in school-aged children. Based on the caries risk assessment survey conducted in Yogyakarta, as many as 76.5% of the children had a high carries risk, 12.9% had a low caries risk, and 10.6% had a moderate caries risk. This research aims to determine the overview and correlation of correct toothbrushing and diet habit on oral health status using the IDCRA application at SD (Elementary School) Muhammadiyah Pepe and SD Muhammadiyah Warungboto Yogyakarta. This research type is descriptive-analytic with a cross-sectional design. The data were collected by subjective and objective intra-oral screening to examine the number of dental caries experiences (DMF-T/def-t) using IDCRA application in elementary school students aged 6-9. The data were then analysed using Spearman correlation by SPSS. The results revealed that students at SD Muhammadiyah Pepe and SD Muhammadiyah Warungboto Yogyakarta had caries with an average of DMF-T/def-t 7,5, meaning each had seven teeth with caries. In addition, most students (74%) consumed sugary snacks 1-3 times daily, while 60,6% needed to brush their teeth correctly. The caries incidence in school-aged children at SD Muhammadiyah Pepe and Warungboto Yogyakarta was classified as very high. This was influenced by their habit of brushing teeth and dietary habits done by the students. So promotive and preventive activities to increase the knowledge and awareness of children and parents need to be carried out regularly.

Dental Caries Experience of Students in Luang Namtha, Laos

Dental Caries Experience of Students in Luang Namtha, Laos

Salivary antioxidents in relation to caries severity among a group of young adults

Background: Saliva represents the body's stages of toxicological, hormonal, immunological, and markers of many infectious disease and disorders, so that it's an ideal tool for monitoring oral and systemic health.&#x0D; Antioxidants help the body's defensive system by reducing oxidative stress.&#x0D; &#x0D; Aims of the study: The study was directed to estimate the carious lesion experience (DMFS) in relation to salivary superoxide dismutase and total protein among adults by age and gender.&#x0D; &#x0D; Materials and methods: Caries experiences was assessed according to DMFS index, after investigation eighty peoples of an age 19-22 years for both genders. Stimulated salivary samples were together and chemically assessed to detect selected salivary antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, total protein), under standardized condition. Total protein and superoxide dismutase were measured by spectrophotometric examination.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: With not-significant differences, total protein was found to be higher in the caries active group than in the caries free group, but salivary superoxide dismutase was the opposite. with statistically not-significant differences, females had a greater average of the salivary total protein than men, whereas men had a greater average of salivary superoxide dismutase than females. the first group (19-20 years) had a not-significant greater average salivary total protein and salivary superoxide dismutase than the second group (21-22 years).&#x0D; Conclusion: Salivary superoxide dismutase is the important factor in dental caries prevention. As a result, alterations in salivary content are crucial in the development and progression of dental caries.

Dental health status assessment of TNI-AL bintara officers using DMFT index and Chief of Naval Staff Regulation: a descriptive study

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Military personnel belong to a high-risk group for the development of various pathological conditions in the oral cavity. Based on research, the experience of dental caries in the army population of several other countries was relatively high. The purpose of this study was to describe the assessment of the dental health status of Bintara Officer (the NCO) the Indonesian National Military-Naval Force (TNI-AL) using caries experience index. Methods: The descriptive method was used with primary data collection through the caries experience index (DMF-T) examination and assessment of the dental health status of the TNI-AL. A purposive sampling technique with a total of 40 members with inclusion criteria, ranked Bintara Officer, 10 years of service, male or female, was used. Exclusion criteria were those serving outside the city or abroad and not signing an informed consent form. The data was collected and analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel. Results: DMF-T index value was 3.7, included in the Stakes I category, which had a maximum number of DMF of 10 teeth: 25.0% in the very low category, 17.5% in the low category, 27.5% in the moderate category, 17.5% in the high category, and 12.5% in the very high category. The dental health status of the TNI-AL were 95.0% in the Stakes I category, 2.5% in the Stakes II category, 2.5% in the Stakes III category, and there were no subjects in the Stakes IV category. Conclusion: Assessment of the dental health status of bintara officer Indonesian National Military-Naval Force using DMFT index value was in the moderate category, and based on Perkasal the majority was included in the Stakes I category.KEYWORDS : Caries, DMF-T index, dentistry, TNI-AL dental health status

Dental Experience, Anxiety and Oral health in Low Income Chennai Children

Background: Dental problems are more common in children nowadays due to the change in food habits. Various treatment modalities are available including fillings, root canal treatment, and crown. The ambience in the dental clinic and the noise created by the compressor, suction apparatus make the child apprehensive, low-income children have more exposure to noises and their fear threshold are more compared with high-income children. This study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental anxiety and the factors influencing dental anxiety and poor oral health among low-income children in Chennai.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty children were examined who reported to Pedodontic Department in Saveetha Dental College, Chennai. The oral health status of male and female patients was assessed based on the decayed, filled teeth index, simplified oral hygiene index (OHI), and Streptococcus mutans score. The assessment excluded the patient who had facial deformities, and mentally retardant, suffering from congenital diseases. Dental anxiety was assessed using the facial image scale and Frankl scale. Early dental experience was classified as: no previous dental visits; preventive control; restorative treatment; and emergency visit.&#x0D; Results: Dental caries is the key factor for the child to visit the dental clinic. The dental setup and its factors are one of the triggering agents to child’s anxiety and previous dental experiences. Patients with systemic problems have a high rate of dental caries.&#x0D; Conclusion: In low-income children, prior dental experiences of six-year-old children were directly related to their dental caries experience. Children who had preventive visits and those who had never seen a dentist before had low rates of dental caries. Patients have a low percentage of dental visits for their preventive treatment due to the unawareness of their parents. Simplified OHI and dental anxiety levels showed no statistically significant differences among the types of previous dental experiences

Experience, Prevalence, and Severity of Dental Caries in Mexican Preschool and School-Aged Children.

Objective Dental caries in Mexico continues to be a public health problem, indicated by it is high prevalence and incidence in children. This disease is associated with pain in preschool and school children, with large-scale consequences for the individual, society, and health systems. The objective of the present study was to determine the experience (mean of caries indices), prevalence, and severity of caries in children 2-12 years of age who sought dental care at a dental school in Mexico. Material and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 826 clinical records of patients ages 2-12 years. The dependent variable was caries, in terms of experience (mean primary teeth (dmft) and permanent teeth (DMFT) indices), prevalence (dmft and DMFT greater than 0), and severity (cutoffs of caries indices at various levels). The independent variables were age and sex. The data were analyzed in Stata 14 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas). Results The average age was 7.2±2.3; 52.4% were boys. In the primary dentition, the caries experience (mean dmft) was 3.01±3.30, the prevalence of caries was 65.8%, and the severity dmft>3=37.3% and dmft>6=15.6%. In the permanent dentition, the caries experience (mean DMFT) was 0.99±1.88, the prevalence of caries was 31.5%, and the severity DMFT>3=12.5% ​​and DMFT>6=1.6%. The percentage of caries-free children in both dentitions was 26.1% (n=216/826). The experience, prevalence, and severity of caries were statistically different by age (p<0.001). Only in the severity of dmft>3 were differences observed across sex (p<0.05). Among children with mixed dentition, primary teeth were more affected than permanent teeth (2.46±2.87 vs 0.88±1.61; p<0.0001). Conclusions About seven out of 10 children were affected by cavities in either or both dentitions. It was observed that age was positively associated with dental caries, equally affecting girls and boys. In this sample, the primary dentition was impacted more than the permanent dentition. Despite being preventable, dental caries continues to be a health problem in children.

Dental Caries and Tooth Brushing Practices among Students Elementary School

Dental caries is a disease that often occurs in mid-childhood (10-12 years), which is a vulnerable period marked by the transition of milk teeth to the growth of permanent teeth. Rikesdas West Sumatra reported the experience of dental caries in 41.74% of children aged 10-14 years, with a prevalence rate in Padang City of 36.71% with the number of sufferers around 6,154 children. This quantitative research aims to determine the prevalence of dental caries and tooth brushing practices among students at SDN 27 Sungai Sapih Kuranji, Padang City. An analytical observational approach was applied, with a total of 100 students selected as respondents using total sampling techniques. Next, the data was collected from November 2022 to February 2023 and analyzed using the Spearman test, then processed using a computerized program. The results showed that the majority showed moderate tooth brushing behavior (82%), while the incidence of dental caries was relatively low (45%). Basically, a significant relationship was found between dental caries and tooth brushing practices among respondents (p = 0.001). Collaboration between dental health professionals and schools is recommended to educate students about the importance of dental and oral care, emphasizing correct toothbrushing techniques, to increase knowledge and practice of oral hygiene.

Caries prevalence and water fluoridation in Israel: a cross-sectionalstudy.

To assess the effect of Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) in the prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis in 12-year-old children living in Israel. Considering that CWF is important in the prevention of dental caries. Between 2002 and 2014, the water in communities of at least 5000 individuals was fluoridated. In 2014 CWF in Israel stopped. Data on 12-year-old children from all areas in Israel from the national crosssectional epidemiological survey conducted in 2011-2012 were stratified by city water fluoridation and by city and school socio-economic status (SES). Two dependent variables were defined: (1) DMFT index -caries experience in the permanent dentition; (2) dental fluorosis in central incisors using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) classification of fluorosis. Data from 2181, 12-year-olds was analyzed. the average DMFT was 1.17+1.72 and 49% were caries free. Based on DMFT, the caries experience was significantly higher in nonfluoridated cities (1.38 vs. 0.98 in fluoridated cities) and there were more caries free children 56.4% in fluoridated cities vs. 40.6% in non-fluoridated. DMFT was higher in cities with lower SES than high SES (1.29 vs. 1.05 respectively, p<0.001) and there were less caries free children in low SES (44.5% vs. 53% in high SES cities, p<0.0001). Almost all the 10.3% of children with signs of fluorosis (scoring at least 1 in TF index), had questionable to mild fluorosis (9.3%). CWF is a cheap, simple method of dental health protection that reaches all socio-economic levels and cessation of water fluoridation reduced the health of Israel's children. Water fluoridation provides substantial caries prevention, by reaching a substantial number of people. The relevance of this work is for policymakers to consider CWF as clinically proven method for reducing health inequalities.

CariesThe Effect of Sweet Taste Perception on Dental Caries Experience in Relation to Age and Gender in Primary School Children

CariesThe Effect of Sweet Taste Perception on Dental Caries Experience in Relation to Age and Gender in Primary School Children

Prevalence of Dental Caries in Different Ages among Children in Saudi Arabia; Systematic Review

Background/objective: Children's dental health has become a key issue in Saudi Arabia due to the growth in caries prevalence among schoolchildren there. Understanding caries experience is crucial for Saudi Arabian policymakers to develop intervention targets and enhance oral health. As consequently, comprehensive research was conducted to investigate the prevalence of dental caries in Saudi children. Method: For pertinent information, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were scoured in-depth. The Rayyan QRCI was employed throughout this thorough procedure. Results: our study article included 11 studies, in which the prevalence of dental caries among children in Saudi Arabia was explained. The main parameters like age, sex, no. of participants and areas were obtained. Clinical studies were required to determine the prevalence of caries in different areas in Saudi Arabia particularly among children. Conclusion: The prevalence rates in Saudi Arabia were high, but the mean dental caries prevalence during the latest decade was determined to be lower than the preceding two decades, with minimal volatility in the prevalence rate.

Correlation between Parents' Knowledge of Calcium Foods and Dental Caries Experience in Preschool Children

Problem statement: The prevalence of caries in Indonesia in children aged 3-4 years is 81.5% with a def-t score of 6.2 and the prevalence of caries in children aged 5 years is 90.2% with a def-t score of 8.1. Preschool children are prone to dental caries, one of the dental and oral health service efforts that can be done is in the form of preventing dental and oral diseases. It has been found that foods and drinks containing calcium can help prevent dental caries. Purpose: This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between parents' knowledge of calcium-based foods and the dental caries experience of preschoolers at IT Al-Hikmah Kindergarten, Cirebon City. Method: This study used a cross-sectional design. The population in this study were all children and parents of TK Al-Hikmah Cirebon City with a total sample of 60 parents and 60 children. Analysis of the results of the study using the Spearman rank test. Results: The majority of parents' knowledge about calcium-based foods was good (55%) and the category of dental caries experience for preschoolers was very low (26.7%). Parents with good knowledge and their child's caries experience rate is very low (21.7%). The Spearman rank test results have a significance value of 0.00 and a correlation coefficient value of -0.580. Conclusion: there is a significant relationship with moderate strength and not in the same direction between parents' knowledge about calcium foods and preschool children's caries experience.