Prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth and its relation with tooth brushing habits among schoolchildren in Eastern Saudi Arabia‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Influence of black tea on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus levels in saliva in a Saudi cohort

OBJECTIVES

Dental caries are associated with high counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) and low saliva buffering capacity (BC). This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of black tea on salivary cariogenic microflora, SM and LB species in an adult population. Antimicrobial activity was measured from the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of SM and LB, and BC of saliva.

METHODS

In this prospective experimental study, unstimulated saliva samples were acquired from the participants before, immediately after, and 1 h after drinking tea by collecting saliva in sterilised containers. Samples were taken to the laboratory for incubation and subsequent counting. SM and LB counts and BC of saliva were calculated using the caries risk test (CRT).

RESULTS

A total of 21 participants, 13 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 32.6 ± 8.02, were recruited in this study. Black tea had no significant effect on reducing the cariogenic bacterial counts (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on this study, it can be deduced that black tea exhibits an insignificant antimicrobial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus bacteria.

Interproximal caries and premature tooth loss in primary dentition as risk factors for loss of space in the posterior sector: A cross-sectional study

Dental caries-a highly prevalent public health problem in preschoolers and school children-is the main cause of premature dental loss during childhood, and this may be related to loss of space in the posterior sector. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether interproximal caries and premature tooth loss (D and/or E) are risk factors for loss of space in the posterior sector.A comparative cross-sectional study (split-mouth type) was performed in schoolchildren (6-8 years old). Seventeen gypsum models were evaluated. These children presented with unilateral loss of a dental organ or interproximal caries (teeth D and/or E) and without such affectations on the other side. Measurements were made with a digital Vernier caliper. The dependent variable was the difference (loss of space, mm) between the control and case sides. The independent variables were type of affectation (interproximal caries or tooth loss), sex, age, arcade, and number of interproximal surfaces affected.The mean age was 6.82 ± 0.44 years and 64.7% were boys. The average space loss was 1.09 ± 0.18 mm (control vs case; P < .0001). A greater loss of space was observed among those who lost a dental organ than those with interproximal caries (P = .0119). A correlation was observed between the variable loss of space and the number of interproximal surfaces affected (r = 0.5712, P = .0166).Interproximal caries and tooth loss were risk factors for loss of space in the posterior segment in this sample of Mexican schoolchildren.

The associations between lead exposure at multiple sensitive life periods and dental caries risks in permanent teeth

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is an important public health problem in Mexico, a country also faced with high exposure to toxicants including lead (Pb).

METHODS

Participants were 386 children living in Mexico City. Prenatal (trimester 1-3), early-childhood (12, 24, 36, and 48 months of age) and peri-pubertal (10-18 years of age) blood Pb levels were quantified using graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectroscopy. Maternal patella and tibia bone Pb at 1 month postpartum were quantified with K X-ray fluorescence instrument. Dental caries presence was evaluated using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) scores. Peri-pubertal sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) intake was estimated using a 116-item, interview-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Total energy adjusted daily SSB intake was generated using the residual approach. Zero inflated negative binomial (ZINB) Poisson regression models were used to examine the associations between Pb with D₁MFT and D₄MFT at adolescence.

RESULTS

Maternal second and third trimester and cumulative early childhood Pb exposure were positively associated with peri-pubertal D₁MFT scores in unadjusted ZINB models (2nd trimester: RR = 1.17 (1.00, 1.37); 3rd trimester: RR = 1.20 (1.03, 1.40); early childhood: RR = 1.22 (1.02, 1.48)). These effect sizes were attenuated and no longer statistically significant after adjusting for covariates. When stratified by high/low SSB intake, a one unit increase of log-transformed 2nd trimester Pb exposure was associated with a 1.41 times (1.06, 1.86) higher D₁MFT count, and 3rd trimester Pb exposure was associated with a 1.50 times (1.18, 1.90) higher D₁MFT count among those with higher than median peri-pubertal SSB. Associations among those with lower SSB intake were roughly half those of the higher group and not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Pb exposure during sensitive developmental periods was not statistically significantly associated with caries risk after accounting for confounders among our cohort. However, evidence from stratified analysis suggested a Pb-caries association among children with high SSB intake.

Prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among primary school children: a population-based cross-sectional study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background

Dental caries is a preventable childhood disease, but public health efforts are hampered due to limited information on associated factors in vulnerable populations. Our study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of dental caries and identifying key associated factors in four major risk domains, including socioeconomic factors, child oral health behavior and practices, child feeding practices, and dietary habits among primary school children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 578 male Saudi primary school children, aged 6–8 years, from 12 primary schools in five different regions of Riyadh. Children were clinically screened to detect carious lesions in primary teeth according to World Health Organization’s criteria. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on social and individual factors from the parents. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of associated factors for dental caries were computed using logistic regression models; key factors were identified by systematic selection process that accounted for multicollinearity and bias correction.

Results

Dental caries was prevalent among children (83%, 95% confidence interval 79.7–86.0%). Individual factors, including irregular brushing, late adoption of brushing habit, consulting dentist for symptomatic treatment, lack of breast feeding, sleeping with a bottle in mouth, habit of snacking between meals, low consumption of fruits, and frequent consumption of soft drinks and flavored milk, were predominantly associated with dental caries in children, instead of socioeconomic factors (p < 0.05, adjusted R-square 80%).

Conclusion

Dental caries were prevalent in school children, and individual factors were predominantly associated with the disease.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12199-018-0750-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparison of dental treatment performed under general anesthesia between healthy children and children with special health care needs in a hospital setting, Saudi Arabia

Background

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess and compare the dental treatments performed under general anesthesia (GA) between healthy children and children with special health care needs (SHCN) according to age group and gender at king Fahd hospital, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Material and Methods

Data was retrieved from the records of 304 healthy and SHCN children 1 18 years of age who received dental rehabilitation under GA in the period 2015-2018. The dental treatment modalities were compared in the two groups and differences according to age group and gender were reported.

Results

Compared to healthy children, children with SHCN received significantly less pulp therapy treated teeth, and restored primary teeth. While, they received significantly more extracted teeth, and restored permanent teeth (P<0.05). In both groups, younger children (≤ 6 years) received significantly more crowns, pulp therapy treated teeth, and restored primary teeth than older children (> 6 years) (P<0.05). While, they received significantly less fissure sealed teeth, extracted primary teeth, and restored permanent teeth (P<0.05). No gender difference was found among children with SHCN; however, healthy boys ≤ 6 years received significantly more extracted primary teeth than girls of same age group, while healthy boys > 6 years received significantly more pulp therapy treated teeth than girls of same age group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Healthy children had different approaches for treatment under GA than children with SHCN. The use of radical treatment approaches like extraction in children with SHCN and the lessened preference toward pulp therapy coupled with greater need for permanent teeth restorations when compared to healthy children were observed. Greater emphasis on oral health education and preventive strategies for children with SHCN is required. It is important to educate their parents/caregivers on the importance of establishing early dental home.

Key words:Dental treatment, general anesthesia, special health care needs.

Efficacy of a Self-Designed Mobile Application to Improve Child Dental Health Knowledge among Parents

Objectives:

The objective of the study is to develop a mobile-based application and assess its efficacy in improving child dental health knowledge of parents.

Subjects and Methods:

A mobile-based application (Your child's smile) was developed and made available on application-store and play store. This application provided all essential information to parents on child dental health prepartum and from infancy to adolescence. To assess improvement in parent's knowledge two similar pretested questionnaires were incorporated within the application, one to be filled at initial registration and other after the parents had utilized the application. Responses were entered into MS excel sheet and analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics version 20.0.

Results:

Within the 15 days’ research period, the application was downloaded by 230 parents out of whom 110 answered only the 1^st and 120 both questionnaires. Out of the 120 who responded to both majority showed highly significant (P < 0.01) or significant (P < 0.05) improvement in their knowledge on tooth development, importance of deciduous teeth, importance of regular dental check-up, pit and fissure sealants, bedtime bottle use, and consequence of early loss of deciduous teeth. Confidence in child dental health knowledge was also evident in other areas with more parents opting for agreeing, strongly agree, or disagree options. A majority 75% of parents favored the use of mobile applications as an effective child dental health knowledge tool.

Conclusion:

Within the limitations of the study, we can conclude that mobile based applications are an effective tool for providing child oral health knowledge to parents and significant improvement in knowledge is evident after parents utilized the mobile-based application.

Contribution of preventive methods in controlling caries among Saudi primary schoolchildren: a population-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the association between caries preventive measures including regular dental checkups, twice a day tooth brushing using fluoridated toothpaste and pit and fissure sealants on one side and the presence of caries among primary schoolchildren in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 including 1198, 6-12-year-old children from 13 randomly selected schools. The outcome variable was caries presence. The explanatory variables were brushing twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste, the presence of sealant and regular dental checkups. Multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to assess the associations controlling for confounders (age, gender, ability to get treatment, being health insured and school) using SPSS version 20.0.

RESULTS

Data of 921 participants (83.8%) were available. The prevalence of caries was 63.5%, whereas 67.6% brushed their teeth twice a day, 28.3% visited the dentist for regular checkups and 7.6% had sealant. In multivariable regression, out of the three main explanatory variables, only having regular checkups was significantly associated with caries presence (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower odds of caries presence were associated with regular dental checkups but not with regular brushing or having sealant.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of primary teeth caries studies in Gulf Cooperation Council States

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of dental caries in pre-school children in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area.

METHODS

A search of literature was conducted to identify articles of dental caries in primary dentitions published during the period from January 1st, 1992 to June 30th, 2016. PubMed, Google Scholar search, and hand searching of journals was conducted to identify relevant articles. The search strategy employed both dental subject headings and free-text terms.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 193 studies that fit the initial inclusion criteria, 159 studies were further excluded. Only 34 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analyses. The overall mean dmft in the primary teeth was 5.14 with prevalence of 80.9% in the GCC area. A high level of heterogeneity in the selected studies was found as demonstrated by Q-value of 2538.501 (df = 21) and I2 value of 99.17%. However, the funnel plots showed symmetrical shape at the bottom in both dmft and prevalence studies indicating absence of publication bias, which was also confirmed by insignificant result of Egger's regression statistical test (Egger's test P = 0.179-0.358).

CONCLUSION

Caries in the primary dentition in the GCC States was high both in terms of mean dmft (5.14) and prevalence (80.95%).

Factors Affecting Dental Caries of Preschool Children in Shiraz, 2014

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Dental caries, the most common infectious disease, can lead to several consequences, including inflammation and bleeding of the gum, abscess formation, tooth loss, and subsequently loss of available space in the arch.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to determine dental caries status of Shiraz preschool children and its related factors.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted on the children registered in Shiraz kindergartens in 2014. The study recruited 453 children by randomized cluster sampling. We evaluated the children's demographic and oral hygiene factors, and their dental caries status using decayed, missed, and filled tooth (dmft) index and prevalence of the children with untreated dental caries. Relationship between the children's characteristics and their dental caries status was evaluated.

RESULTS

Only 119 children (30.1%) were caries-free. The children's mean dmft index was 3.88(±3.9). After controlling the effect of confounding factors, the children's dental caries status was significantly associated with variables indicating their socioeconomic status such as fathers' job, mothers' education, and number of children in the family. Furthermore, there was a significant association between the children's dental caries status and their oral hygiene habits such as frequency of tooth brushing.

CONCLUSION

The dental caries status of the studied preschool children was not desirable which could be indicative of the inadequacy of the current preventive programs. To improve this issue, interventional preventive programs such as tooth brushing are recommended. The programs are more necessary for the children of low socioeconomic families and those with poor oral hygiene habits.

A Radiographic Evaluation of Missing of Permanent First Molars in a Group of Iranian Children and Adults: A Retrospective Study

The missing of permanent first molars influences the occlusal status and dental health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of missing first molar teeth in a selected population of Shiraz, Iran. Methods. A total of 2206 panoramic views of patients aged from 7 to 75 years old were inspected for missing of permanent first molars. Patients were categorized into five age groups: from 7 to 15, 16 to 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60, and more than 60 years old. Data were categorized according to sex, age, and number of lost teeth using SPSS software. Results. No first molar was missing in 59.9% of the cases, 17.05% had lost one, 10.4% had lost two, 7.2% had lost three, and 5% were missing all four of their permanent first molars. The mandibular first molar was the most commonly lost tooth, and the left side in both jaws was more affected than the right side. There was a positive relation between age and missing first molar. Conclusions. A missing first molar is a common finding in southern Iran population. Due to the important role of permanent first molars in occlusion, more education and dental care is recommended to preserve these teeth.

Fluoride Concentration of Water Supply in Eastern Saudi Arabia: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND

Community water fluoridation is known to play a significant role in enhancing oral health by reducing the incidence of dental caries. However, the level of fluoride in the supplied public water in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine water fluoride levels at the main sources supplying water to households and schools in two major cities (Dammam and Al-Khobar) of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

From the Directorate of Water Agency and Directorate of Education, the following were identified as the main sources of public water supply in Dammam and Al-Khobar: the water agency, public water tanks and four contracted companies. Two samples were collected from each of these six identified water sources at two different time points (in January and July 2016; 2 samples/site/time point; N = 24) using 500 mL polythene bottles. Each sample was analyzed using an ion chromatography system at different detection limits (including the lowest detection limit of 0.065 ppm) to determine the fluoride level.

RESULTS

There was no fluoride detected in any sample even at the lowest detection limit, indicating that fluoride levels in the studied water samples were <0.065 ppm.

CONCLUSION

This study found that in the cities studied, fluoride levels, if any, are considerably below the optimum recommended level for the prevention of dental caries (i.e., 0.7 ppm).

Fostering Oral Hygiene Habits and Self-Regulation Skills: An Intervention With Preschool Children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a program to promote self-regulation for self-care skills in preschool-aged children focused on oral habits and good oral health. Participants were 210 Mexican children aged 4 to 5 years who attended the Children's Assistance Community Centers (CAIC in Spanish). Findings showed that children who participated in the program, compared with those who did not, decreased significantly the teeth-bacteria plaque. The former also improved their self-regulation skills and dental hygiene habits. Data highlighted the key role of close adults in promoting young children's self-regulation for self-care focusing on dental hygiene habits.

Association between body mass index and dental caries among special care female children in Makkah City

BACKGROUND

Dental caries and obesity are multifactorial diseases with diet being a common contributory factor.

OBJECTIVE

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between dental caries and obesity among special care female school children in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.

DESIGN

Analytical cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Special schools in Makkah City.

STUDY POPULATION AND METHODS

Schools were chosen by lottery and female children were ran.domly selected. Dental caries detection was performed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The medical evaluation assessed the body mass index (BMI).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

With appropriate sample weighting, relationships between dmft/DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth for deciduous and permanent dentition) and obesity were assessed using multilevel logistic regression.

RESULTS

In 275 special care children, the prevalence of dental caries was 56.7 percent. The mean dmft and DMFT scores for the entire study population were 3.9 (4.8) and 3.2 (4.1), respectively. Forty percent of children were mentally retarded, 22.2% presented with deafness, blindness or both, 18.9% presented with Down syndrome and 14.9% were autistic. From the total sample, the mean BMI was 20.2 (2.8). When adjusted for covariates, the logistic regression model showed strong association between caries and obesity (adjusted odds ratio=2.9; 95% CI=1.2-4.9).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a significant association between caries frequency and overweight/obesity in special care school children.

LIMITATIONS

Since the data was cross-sectional, causal relationships cannot be established and the observed association could be due to other unexplored factors. Because of cultural and ethical consideration, including segregation of gender in Saudi Arabia, only female children were included in the present study, which limited the findings.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of School Children's Caries Studies in Gulf Cooperation Council States

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of dental caries school children in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area, to help the development of systematic approaches for preventive oral care programs in the GCC states and to provide sound information for oral health promotion and public health care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive search to identify both published and unpublished articles concerning relevant studies of dental caries in children aged 6-16 years for their permanent teeth published from 1992 to 2016 with no language and time limit was performed. The search strategies employed electronic databases and incorporated both dental subject headings and free-text term.

RESULTS

The overall mean decayed, missing and filled teeth in the permanent teeth was 2.57, and the prevalence was 64.7% in the GCC area.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the studies were conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results may not be a true reflection, and other countries in GCC are urged to study the prevalence and severity of caries in their children population.

Sweet Taste Perception and Dental Caries in 13- to 15-Year-Olds: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Dietary habits and, in particular, the intake frequency of sucrose are of major importance for the development of dental caries. The perception of sweet taste is believed to have an influence on sucrose intake and therefore affects the predisposition to dental caries. The aim was to study the caries experience and sweet taste perception and to further analyze the possible relationship between the 2 tested variables in 13- to 15-year-old children from 3 different geographical areas. A cross-sectional survey comprising 669 children (220 Italian, 224 Mexican, and 225 Saudi Arabian) was conducted. The children were examined in their school setting. A sweet taste perception level was determined by the sweet taste threshold (TT) and sweet taste preference (TP). The sweet test was performed with sucrose solutions varying in concentration from 1.63 to 821.52 g/L. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and DMFS indices were used to diagnose caries. The highest mean value for TT was found for Italian children followed by Saudi and Mexican. Saudi schoolchildren showed the highest mean values for TP and DMFS, followed by Italian and Mexican. A statistically significant difference for TP, TT, DMFS, and initial caries was found between the 3 countries. A weak yet positive correlation was found between taste perception (TT and TP) versus DMFS and manifest caries in all 3 countries (r = 0.137-0.313). The findings of the present study showed a variation in sweet taste perception between the 3 countries, which may influence the caries outcome of the children in the individual countries.

Prioritizing the Risk Factors of Severe Early Childhood Caries

Severe early childhood caries remains the most common chronic disease affecting children. The multifactorial etiology of caries has established a controversy about which risk factors were more significant to its development. Therefore, our study aimed through meticulous statistical analysis to arrange the "well agreed upon" common risk factors in order of significance, to aid the clinician in tailoring an adequate preventive program. The study prioritized or reshuffled the risk factors contributing to severe early childhood caries and placed them in the order of their significance as follows: snacking of sugary food several times a day, increased number of siblings to three or more, night feeding, child self-employed brushing, mother's caries experience, two siblings, on demand feeding, once/day sugary food, sharing utensils, one sibling, male gender, father's education, late first dental visit, brushing time, mother's education, no dental visit, decreased brushing frequency, and no night brushing.