Dental caries among children visiting a mobile dental clinic in South Central Kentucky: a pooled cross-sectional study

Mobile dental clinic for oral health services to underserved rural Indian communities

Mobile dental vehicle (MDVs) can be adopted to address the oral healthcare needs of different populations. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate mobile dental clinic program in providing oral health services to underserved rural communities. A 2 x 2.5 meter box trailer is used by the UN, and it can be carried by a vehicle with all-wheel drive for all types of weather. There was a small box trailer with its weather proof canvas cover extended, changing it into four dental operators and an integrated waiting and teaching space. Clinical examination, scaling, polishing, health education, individual and group teaching in dental hygiene, fluoride applications, fissure sealants, amalgam and composite restorations, extractions, and minor oral surgery were all supplied at no cost to the patients. In a longitudinal study of 3 years in underserved rural areas, a total of 6326 patients were provided different dental treatments. It was found that 93.3% patients did not undergo any dental treatment in the past.

Assessing Risks of Early Childhood Caries in Primary Care Practice Using Electronic Health Records and Neighborhood Data

CONTEXT

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a persistent public health challenge, affecting more than 56% of US toddlers and preschool-aged children. Despite this, ECC is largely preventable with routine oral hygiene practices, diet, and application of topical fluoride.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the utilization of preventive oral health care in primary care practices and evaluated the variation in patient characteristic and geographic disparities.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective study using electronic health records (EHRs) over a 2-year period. Patients' home addresses were geocoded and linked to census-based neighborhood statistics and fluoridated water accessibility. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to assess the risk of ECC in patients with fluoride preventive care, controlled for demographics, comorbid conditions, and neighborhood risk factors.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged 6 to 71 months who had primary care providers at family medicine and general pediatric clinics in a large academic medical center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The presence of dental caries based on diagnoses in EHRs.

RESULTS

The study consisted of 10 836 patients: 17% treated with topical fluoride varnish (TFV), 12% prescribed oral fluoride supplement, 6.1% with both TFV and supplement, and 64% without fluoride treatment. Patients with fluoride treatment were 24% to 53% less likely to have ECC. Children living in rural and nonfluoridated water communities had 1.7 to 1.8 times greater risk of developing ECC. Minority, under/uninsured, and low-income patients also were at an increased risk of ECC.

CONCLUSION

Despite continuing efforts to improve access to dental care for vulnerable populations, substantial disparities remain among socioeconomically disadvantaged children. To address dental care shortage, primary care clinicians should serve as the safety net to care for vulnerable and underserved children who have no or limited access to oral health services. Future research into the collaboration between primary care and dental providers at the level of both practice and professional education should be considered.

Education of Dental Health Maintenance Using Paint Application

BACKGROUND: Education of dental health maintenance is important for children, because the lack of knowledge of children in maintaining dental health will affect the development of dental health in adulthood. The success of education is influenced, among others, by the media or tools used. AIM: This study aims to determine the effect of education using paint application media on the risk factors for caries. METHODOLOGY: This type of research was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test designs. To find out changes in knowledge, a questionnaire was administered. The sample was elementary school students, aged 8-10 years and the number of samples were 60 people. Data analysis using paired t test. RESULTS: This study showed that there was a significant effect on the average value obtained from students' knowledge before and after the intervention using the paint application. The results of this study can be used as a basis for the use of paint applications as a medium for education media of dental health maintenance CONCLUSION: Education using paint application media has increased students' knowledge. It was stated that education using paint applications had an effect on increasing students' knowledge in maintaining dental health. It is hoped that the use of the Paint Application media will be an alternative in the selection of dental health maintenance educational aids.  

The relationship between tooth decay with stress and BMI among elementary students in Iran

Background

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children worldwide. Stress and body mass index are also amongst the arguable risk factors which will affect people considerably. They include biological (hormones and blood sugar), socio-economic, and environmental factors and also lifestyle. In the present study, the relationship between tooth decay with stress and BMI in children was therefore investigated.

Materials and methods

This was a cross-sectional study of a descriptive-analytical type. A total of 350 students who were referred to the clinic of the faculty of dentistry at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences during 2021-2022 were selected through convenience sampling method to participate in the study. First, the students underwent a dental examination after being measured on their height and weight. Then, two questionnaires; namely, demographic information and Children's Stress Symptom Scale (CSSS) of Scherer and Ryan-Wenger were completed by the children's parents through self-reporting. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 and then descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied.

Results

The mean BMI of the participating students was in the normal range. The prevalence of tooth decay among participants was 76.9% (269 people). The mean and standard deviation of stress scores was 6.85 ± 4.01 out of 26, which was at a low level. Also, the mean and standard deviation of the BMI were 22.78 ± 5.28, which was within the normal range. The results of the logistic regression showed that the variables of "father's level of education," "family's economic status," "the experience of the toothache during the past year," "the oral health status," "the frequency of tooth brushing," "flossing," "stress," and "BMI" were influential factors in tooth decay (P <0.05).

Conclusion

Students who had improper BMI, more stress, less educated fathers, families with poor economic status, the experience of toothache within the past year, poor oral health status, and those who used toothbrushes and floss to a minimal degree suffered more tooth decay. Therefore, it is necessary that we pay more attention to these students in designing and implementing educational programs to prevent tooth decay.

Prevalence of Dental Caries in Children in Mymensingh and Its Associated Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Children suffer from various oral and periodontal diseases. Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral diseases among children in the world. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence and risk factors of dental caries in children in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 362 pediatric patients who attended the Dental Unit of Mymensingh Medical College from March to September 2019. The sample size was calculated using a statistical formula and the children were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Children and their guardians were interviewed and data were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of dental caries was 82.7%. The prevalence of caries was significantly higher in aged children (8–10 years) and also in rural, low-income, and illiterate families. Seven significant risk factors were identified that included residence in the rural area (OR: 7.31 [1.73–30.83]), a parental income of BDT ≤ 20,000 per month (OR: 4.75 [1.49–15.05]), reduced duration (≤1 min) of teeth cleaning (OR: 18.54 [2.05–168.17]), teeth cleaning before breakfast (OR: 93.30 [10.95–795.32]), the spoon-feeding method (OR: 12.57 [2.09–75.61]), long-term (37–48 months) breastfeeding (OR: 212.53 [8.69–5195.25]), and family oral problem (OR: 8.20 [2.57–26.16]). Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries among the children in Mymensingh is very high and was associated with residence in rural areas, parental income, reduced duration of teeth cleaning, teeth cleaning before breakfast, the spoon-feeding method, long-term breastfeeding, and family oral problems.

The Effect of Parental Education and Socioeconomic Status on Dental Caries among Saudi Children

Parental attitudes toward the importance of oral hygiene have an impact on the formation of their children’s oral habits and the prevalence of oral diseases. Our aim was to assess the association between parents’ education and socioeconomic status and their children’s oral health. A cross-sectional study was conducted between the years of 2018 and 2020 in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia among primary school children. Two pre-calibrated dentists performed the clinical examination of the children, and a self-administered validated questionnaire was obtained from their parents. Clinical examination was performed on 589 children with an age range of 3 to 14 years, where 47% were males and 53% were females, 70% with dental caries. Both parents with higher education and a high monthly income were significantly associated with lower prevalence of decayed teeth in their children, respectively. Mother’s education, age, gender and application of sealant were found significantly associated with the high prevalence of caries. High prevalence of tooth decay was reported among school children in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A high educational level of parents and high income were correlated with a lower prevalence of decayed teeth, similarly to the situation in the case of presence of medical insurance.

Variation in dental services by rurality among privately insured adults in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Rurality is associated with reduced dental access and worse oral health outcomes. It is unknown whether there is variation in dental services received by rural adults who visit a dentist.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of claims data from a large private insurer. All individuals who had at least one dental visit in 2018 were included. Patient demographics, whether or not a patient's ZIP code was rural as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, as well as ZIP code demographics were collected. Differences in the frequency of dental services received were evaluated using χ² tests. Multilevel logistic regressions were used to evaluate the individual and ZIP code-level correlates of receiving a preventive dental procedure, a tooth extraction, or a denture-related dental procedure.

RESULTS

Rates of preventive, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and denture-related procedures were higher among rural adults. Accounting for individual age and gender, and ZIP code average income and dentist density, rural dwellers were more likely to receive a preventive procedure [odds ratio (OR) 1.15, P < 0.0001] or tooth extraction (OR 1.08, P < 0.0001), and less likely to have a denture-related procedure (OR 0.94, P = 0.015) compared to nonrural dwellers. Female gender was the strongest predictor of receiving a preventive procedure (OR 1.30, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Even among privately insured individuals with known access to dental care, rurality was associated with significant differences in the frequency of various dental procedures. Rural dental patients may have higher needs for oral surgical procedures, even when they have access to preventive care.

Magnitude of Dental Caries and Its Associated Factors Among Governmental Primary School Children in Debre Berhan Town, North-East Ethiopia

Background

In Ethiopia, oral health prevention and treatment have gotten low attention in the government, and the existing dental services are privately owned and thus expensive. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among governmental primary school children in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia, 2019.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 30 to February 14/2019. A total of 417 primary school children were selected using computer-generated simple random sampling and interviewed using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data were coded, entered, and cleaned using Epi-data version 3.1 and export to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to test the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant association. Finally, the result of this study was present by text, tables, and graphs.

Results

Out of the 396 study participants, 135 (34.1%) had dental caries. Of these, more than half, 95 (59.37%) had the pre-molar decayed. Two hundred eighty-five (72.0%) of them were cleaned their teeth. The Independent predictors of dental caries were drinking sugared tea [AOR= 2.034, 95% CI: (1.223–3.385)] and food particle on their teeth [AOR= 6.709, 95% CI: (3.475–12.954)], which had shown a significant association with dental caries.

Conclusion

The over magnitude of dental caries was relatively high and found to be a public health problem. Drinking sugar tea, presence of food particles, or dental plaque were significantly associated with dental caries. In contrast, merchant occupation reduced the chance of dental caries. Giving health education to minimize drinking sugar tea and cleaning their teeth after consumption of sugar tea should be given attention.

A longitudinal study of the impact of change in socioeconomic status on dental caries in the permanent dentition of Swedish children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES

The overall aim was to analyse longitudinally the development of dental caries in the permanent dentition of children and adolescents in a Swedish region, in relation to possible change in socioeconomic status (SES).

METHODS

A total of 259 448 individuals in western Sweden were followed over a 3-year period, through dental journal records at baseline (3-19-year-olds) and 1-3 dental check-ups during the follow-up period. Official socioeconomic register information (ethnicity, wealth, parental education and employment) was available at both baseline and follow-up. Data were used both as independent single variables and combined in an index. Gender, age and caries status at baseline and the examination years were included as covariates in the regression models.

RESULTS

Associations over time were found between SES and dental caries in young people. A persistently low SES was associated with the greatest risk of both new and accumulated (decayed plus filled teeth/approximal surfaces) caries; however, any change in SES, whether improved or worsened, led to a greater risk. An increased risk of new caries events was identified for those who were older at baseline and by examination year. On average, the increase per year in decayed and/or filled teeth and in approximal surfaces was 0.23 and 0.12, respectively.

CONCLUSION

SES was shown to be an important risk factor for dental caries over time in young Swedish people. Prevention programmes should pay particular attention to the needs of socioeconomically vulnerable individuals and groups.

Dental Caries and Associated Factors among Primary School Children in Metropolitan City with the Largest Javanese Race Population: A Crosssectional Study

Background:

Dental caries is the most prevalent and chronic oral disease, particularly in childhood age. Dental caries is a progressive infectious process with multifactorial etiology.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among primary school children at Surabaya, as the metropolitan city with the largest Javanese race population in Indonesia.

Materials and Methods:

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Surabaya in August 2017. Cluster random sampling technique was used to select the children. Structured questionnaire by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to interview children and/or parents to collect sociodemographic variables. Clinical dental information was obtained by experienced dentist using dental caries criteria set by the WHO. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were computed to investigate the factors associated with dental caries.

Results:

Of 213 children, 50.4% were boys. Majority (99%) of the children cleaned their teeth using toothbrush. The proportion of children having dental caries was 53%. Decay-Missing-Filled (DMF) score was 1, decayed-extracted-filled (def) score was 1.08, and total DMF and def score were 2.07. Toothbrush usage, soda consumption, and educational level of fathers were the associated factors for dental caries.

Conclusion:

Toothbrush usage, soda consumption, and educational level of fathers were the associated factors for dental caries. Therefore, prevention measures, such as health education on oral hygiene, dietary habits, and importance of dental visit, are obligatory for children.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dental Caries in Primary Schoolchildren: An Iranian Setting

Introduction

Dental caries is the most common oral health disease of school-aged children around the world. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries in primary schoolchildren in Yasuj township, Iran.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 460 children aged 7-12 years were investigated. Dental examination was performed at school according to the World Health Organization criteria. Sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and caries statuses of children's teeth were recorded through a dental chart. Data were analyzed using summary statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression model with odds ratio.

Results

The prevalence of dental caries in primary, permanent, and whole dentition among children was 75.3%, 41.1%, and 89.8%, respectively. Among all considered factors, the caries presence in primary teeth was inversely (p < 0.001) and in permanent teeth was positively (p < 0.001) associated with the children's age. Moreover, the odds of decaying permanent teeth were significantly higher in girls, in rural children, and in children whose fathers were not an employee compared to their counterparts (p=0.04, p < 0.001, and p=0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

The prevalence of dental caries among the studied primary schoolchildren in mixed dentition was high and associated with their sociodemographic factors. Providing and implementing preventive, therapeutic, and informative programs for controlling dental caries at individual, family, and school levels are necessary for local health policymakers.

University-based initiatives towards better access to oral health care for rural and remote populations: A scoping review

This scoping review maps a wide array of literature to identify academic programs that have been developed to enhance oral health care for rural and remote populations and to provide an overview of their outcomes. Arksey and O'Malley's 5-stage scoping review framework has steered this review. We conducted a literature search with defined eligibility criteria through electronic databases, websites of academic records, professional and rural oral health care organizations as well as grey literature spanning the time interval from the late 1960s to May 2017. The charted data was classified, analyzed and reported using a thematic approach. A total of 72 citations (67 publications and seven websites) were selected for the final review. The review identified 62 universities with program initiatives towards improving access to oral health care in rural and remote communities. These initiatives were classified into three categories: training and education of dental and allied health students and professionals, education and training of rural and remote community members and oral health care services. The programs were successful in terms of dental students' positive perception about rural practice and their enhanced competencies, students' increased adoption of rural practices, non-dental health care providers' improved oral health knowledge and self-efficacy, rural oral health and oral health services' improvement, as well as cost-effectiveness compared to other strategies. The results of our review suggest that these innovative programs were effective in improving access to oral health care in rural and remote regions and may serve as models for other academic institutions that have not yet implemented such programs.

The Persistence of Oral Health Disparities for African American Children: A Scoping Review

Oral health is an important yet often neglected component of overall health, linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetic complications. Disparities exist for many groups, including racial and ethnic minorities such as African Americans. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential factors that perpetuate oral health care disparities in African American children in the United States. A systematic search of three literature databases produced 795 articles; 23 articles were included in the final review. Articles were analyzed using a template coding approach based on the social ecological model. The review identified structural, sociocultural, and familial factors that impact the ability of African Americans to utilize oral care services, highlighting the importance of the parent/caregiver role and the patient⁻provider relationship; policy-level processes that impact access to quality care; the value of autonomy in treatment and prevention options; and the impact of sociocultural factors on food choices (e.g., food deserts, gestures of affection). In conclusion, oral health care remains an underutilized service by African American children, despite increasing access to oral care secondary to improvements in insurance coverage and community-based programs.

The Influence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Dental Caries and Salivary Composition

Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic disease that affects the oral health. The aim of the study is to evaluate the dental caries, salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, and Lactobacilli in saliva in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to the control group. Methods. The sample consisted of 160 children of 10 to 15 years divided into two groups: 80 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 80 children as a control group. Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index for permanent dentition. Stimulated saliva was collected among all children. Salivary flow rate and buffer capacity were measured, and the colonies of Lactobacillus in saliva were determined. The observed children have answered a number of questions related to their dental visits and parents' education. The data obtained from each group were compared statistically using the chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U-test. The significant level was set at p < 0.05. Results. DMFT in children with type 1 diabetes was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001). Diabetic children have a low level of stimulated salivary flow rate compared to control children (0.86 ± 0.16 and 1.10 ± 0.14). The buffer capacity showed statistically significant differences between children with type 1 diabetes and control group (p < 0.001). Also, children with type 1 diabetes had a higher count and a higher risk of Lactobacillus compared to the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Conclusion. The findings we obtained showed that type 1 diabetes mellitus has an important part in children's oral health. It appears that children with type 1 diabetes are exposed to a higher risk for caries and oral health than nondiabetic children.

Disparities in untreated caries among children and adults in the U.S., 2011-2014

Background

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 increased dental coverage for children in the United States, (U.S.) but not for adults. Few studies in current scholarship make use of up-to-date, nationally representative data to examine oral health disparities in the U.S. population. The purpose of this study is to use nationally representative data to determine the prevalence of untreated caries among children and adults of different socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups and to examine the factors associated with untreated caries among children and adults.

Methods

This study used the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) demographic, oral health questionnaire, and oral health dentition examination data (n = 7008 for children; n = 9673 for adults). Participants that had a standardized oral health examination and at least one natural primary or permanent tooth considering 28 tooth spaces were included in this study. Our main outcome measure was untreated coronal caries defined as decay on the crown or enamel surface of a tooth that had not been treated or filled. Population estimates were calculated to determine the prevalence of untreated caries among children and adults in the United States. Frequencies and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to compare those with and without untreated caries. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the factors associated with untreated caries. We conducted analyses among children and adults separately.

Results

From 2011 to 2014, 12.4 million children and 57.6 million adults in the United States had untreated caries. Age, family income level, recent dental visit, and financial and non-financial barriers were significantly associated with untreated caries in both children and adults. Race/ethnicity, gender and education level were also significantly associated with untreated caries among adults. The odds of untreated caries associated with financial barriers were 2.06 for children and 2.84 for adults while the odds of untreated caries associated with non-financial barriers were 2.86 for children and 1.67 for adults.

Conclusions

Demographic and socio-economic disparities in untreated caries exist among children and adults.

Fluoride supplementation (with tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) in pregnant women for preventing dental caries in the primary teeth of their children

BACKGROUND

Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Caries prevalence in most industrialised countries has declined among children over the past few decades. The probable reasons for the decline are the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, followed by artificial water fluoridation, oral health education and a slight decrease in sugar consumption overall. However, in regions without water fluoridation, fluoride supplementation for pregnant women may be an effective way to increase fluoride intake during pregnancy. If fluoride supplements taken by pregnant women improve neonatal outcomes, pregnant women with no access to a fluoridated drinking water supply can obtain the benefits of systemic fluoridation.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of women taking fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) compared with no fluoride supplementation during pregnancy to prevent caries in the primary teeth of their children.

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (to 25 January 2017); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 11) in the Cochrane Library (searched 25 January 2017); MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 25 January 2017); Embase Ovid (1980 to 25 January 2017); LILACS BIREME Virtual Health Library (Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database; 1982 to 25 January 2017); and CINAHL EBSCO (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; 1937 to 25 January 2017). We searched the US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register (ClinicalTrials.gov) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for ongoing trials to 25 January 2017. No restrictions were placed on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gum) administered to women during pregnancy with the aim of preventing caries in the primary teeth of their children.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the titles and abstracts (when available) of all reports identified through electronic searches. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias, as well as evaluating overall quality of the evidence utilising the GRADE approach. We could not conduct data synthesis as only one study was included in the analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Only one RCT met the inclusion criteria for this review. This RCT showed no statistical difference on decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces (dfs) and the percentage of children with caries at 3 years (risk ratio (RR) 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 2.85; participants = 938, very low quality of evidence) and 5 years old (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.33; participants = 798, very low quality of evidence). The incidence of fluorosis at 5 years was similar between the group taking fluoride supplements (tablets) during the last 6 months of pregnancy and the placebo group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence that fluoride supplements taken by women during pregnancy are effective in preventing dental caries in their offspring.

An evaluation of a school-based dental sealant programme

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of Bengal Smiles, a school-based dental sealant programme and assess outcomes related to the U.S. Healthy People 2020 oral health objectives.

METHODS

A needs assessment identified high caries prevalence in Idaho children and supported the need for a school-based dental sealant programme at a local Title 1 school. Children (n=54) ages 6-12 were screened by dental hygiene students for suspected dental caries, sealant placement and need for referral for dental treatment. Sealant retention and sealant caries rates were computed at 12 months (n=32) using descriptive statistics. Caries rates were analysed with a t test for paired samples, while a chi-square test was used to determine a difference in referral treatment rates before and after the intervention of administrative staff who contacted parents of children in need of dental treatment.

RESULTS

Bengal Smiles participants had a 16% decrease in suspected dental caries; however, there was no statistically significant difference in caries rates (P=.21) at baseline and 12 months. Sealant prevalence increased 370%. Sealant retention outcomes were 74% fully retained with 0% caries, 13% partially retained with 25% caries and 13% no retention with 25% caries. At 12 months, 50% of participants referred for dental treatment accessed care. The intervention of contacting parents had no statistically significant effect on increasing dental treatments (P=.75).

CONCLUSIONS

School-based sealant programmes eliminate disparities in accessing oral health care and contribute to attaining U.S. Healthy People 2020 oral health objectives.

Demographic factors and dental health of Swedish children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the dental health of Swedish children and adolescents with reference to age, gender and residence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Electronic dental records from 300,988 3-19-year-olds in one Swedish region were derived in a cross-sectional study in years 2007-2009. The DMFT system was used. Age was categorized into 3-6/7-9/10-12/13-15/16-17/18-19-year-olds and residence into 'metropolitan', 'urban' and 'rural' areas. ANOVA, generalized linear regression models and Fisher's exact test were used.

RESULTS

Among 7-9-year-old children, nine out of 10 were free from fillings and manifest caries, while for 18-19-year-olds; this proportion was one third. Girls (18-19-year-olds) had a significantly lower risk of caries compared to boys of the same age, RR for the DT index = 0.83 (95% CI = 0.81-0.85). This pattern was reversed in 7-12-year-old children. Children and adolescents in metropolitan and urban areas had significantly more caries than subjects in rural areas, for instance the RR for the DT index in metropolitan 7-9-year-olds was 2.26 (95% CI = 2.11-2.42) compared to their rural counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

In the permanent dentition, the overall pattern revealed that girls ≤ 12 years had a higher risk of caries, while adolescent girls had a lower risk of caries, both compared with boys of corresponding ages. Living in an urban or metropolitan area entailed a higher risk of caries than living in a rural area. A greater occurrence of dental caries in adolescents than in children was confirmed. The findings should have implications for planning and evaluation of oral health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Dental caries and associated factors among primary school children in Bahir Dar city: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is the most common chronic infectious disease of childhood caused by the interaction of bacteria, mainly Streptococcus mutans and sugary foods on tooth enamel. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries among primary school children at Bahir Dar city.

METHODS

A school based cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahir Dar city from October 2013 to January 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the children. Structured questionnaire was used to interview children and/or parents to collect socio demographic variables. Clinical dental information obtained by experienced dentist using dental caries criteria set by World Health Organization. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were computed to investigate factors associated with dental caries.

RESULTS

Of the 147 children, 82 (55.4%) were girls. Majority of the children (67.6%) cleaned their teeth using traditional method (small stick of wood made of a special type of plant). The proportion of children having dental caries was 32 (21.8%). Primary tooth decay accounted for 24 (75%) of dental caries. The proportion of missed teeth was 7 (4.8%). The overall proportion of toothache and dental plaque among school children were 40 (27.2%) and 99 (67.3%), respectively. Grade level of 1-4 (AOR = 3.9, CI = 1.49 -10.4), poor habit of tooth cleaning (AOR = 2.6, CI = 1.08 - 6.2), dental plaque (AOR = 5.3, CI = 1.6 - 17.7) and toothache (AOR = 6.3, CI = 2.4 - 15.4) were significantly associated with dental caries.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries is a common public health problem in school children associated with poor oral hygiene, dietary and dental visit habits. Therefore, prevention measures such as health education on oral hygiene, dietary habits and importance of dental visit are obligatory for children.

Reach the unreached - a systematic review on mobile dental units

Provision of health care facilities and the extent of their utilization is one of the indices of human development. The services for the masses need to be designed with the basic objective of alleviating and preventing the vast amounts of diseases of the mass. This could be achieved by mobile dental units (MDUs). The present systemic review access the efficacy of MDUs for community settings. A review of literature was performed both electronically and manually using MeSH Terms- Mobile Dental Units/clinics. Eight articles, which fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for the review. MDUs help in overcoming the accessibility, affordability and sustainability barrier. They are able to reach more people than fixed-site clinics. Even in Government sector, mobile dental vans can help reach the underserved at an affordable cost.The present systematic review revealed that MDUs prove to be an effective adjunct to the oral health service providers like dental colleges and private practitioners.