Dental caries status and treatment needs of children of fisher folk communities, residing in the coastal areas of Karnataka region, south India

A scoping review on the links between sustainable development goal 14 and early childhood caries

BACKGROUND

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 addresses life below the waters, an important source of protein and contributor to global food security and economic development. Our aim was to explore possible evidence on the links between life below water and early childhood caries (ECC).

METHODS

This scoping review identified articles on the link between life below water and caries according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched in January 2023, using specific search terms. Studies written in English, with full text available, addressing life under water, focusing on dental caries in humans, with results that can be extrapolated to control ECC in children less than 6 years of age were included in the review. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the retrieved papers and graphical presentation was used for visualization.

RESULTS

There were 224 publications retrieved of which 13 studies, published between 1960 and 2022, were included in the analysis. The papers originated from Asia (7/13), North America (3/13), Europe (1/13), and 2/13 had multi-country authorship. Also, four laboratory studies extracted agents from marine products to determine their efficacy in preventing caries formation and preventing/slowing plaque formation; four letters discussed the caries prevention potential of sea salt as a source of fluoride; and two review articles about the positive effects of extracted marine products for caries prevention. Most (11/13) studies addressed target 14.1 concerned with enriching the marine environment with nutrients and minerals; two addressed target 14.4 focused on ensuring fish stocks are within biologically sustainable levels; two addressed target 14.7 aimed at increasing the economic benefits through sustainable use of marine resources such as fisheries; and one focused on target 14.5 aimed at conserving marine areas by increasing protected areas. In addition, one ecological study assessed the association between the ecosystem and ECC.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there is little known about the impact of protection of marine and coastal ecosystem from pollution and ocean acidification on the risk of ECC. Further evidence on possible associations between life below water and ECC management is needed.

Assessment of Oral Health Status and Dental Treatment Needs Among 12- and 15-Year-Old School-Going Children of Fisherman Community Residing at East Coast Road, Chennai: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aims and Objectives:

This study was conducted to assess the dental treatment needs of 12- and 15-year-old school-going children of fishermen community residing at East Coast Road, Chennai.

Materials and Methods:

Of 35 schools, 2 schools of private and government each were chosen to a final sample size of 650 students. Ethical clearance to conduct the research was obtained. A pilot study was undertaken during February 2012 at St. Joseph school, Kovalam to determine the feasibility of the study and also to determine the sample size. Examination was carried out by a single examiner to assess the treatment needs using World Health Organization Oral Health Surveys: Basic Methods pro forma (1997) excluding prosthetic treatment needs. The Chi-square test (χ²) was used to find out whether there existed a significant difference in the oral health status between 12- and 15-year-old school children and private and government school children.

Results:

12-year-old children and 15-year-old children had a mean decayed-missing-filled teeth value of 2.14 and 2.72, respectively. Majority of the study population 454 (241[68.8%] 12-year-old children and 213[71%] 15-year-old children) need one surface restoration. Majority of the study population 623 (95.8%) had community periodontal index (CPI) score of 2 (i.e., calculus), whereas only 27 (4.1%) of the study population had CPI score of 0 (i.e., healthy gums).

Conclusion:

This study revealed that the oral health status of these children was poor with high caries prevalence and high Malocclusion.

Assessment of orthodontic treatment need among tribal children of Indore division, Central India

Introduction

India is home to many tribes which have an interesting and varied history of origins, customs and social practices. Oral health care in tribal areas is limited due to shortage of dental manpower, financial constraints and the lack of perceived need for dental care among tribal masses.

Objective

To assess orthodontic treatment need among tribal children of Indore division, Central India.

Methods

A cross-sectional house to house survey was carried out among 800 tribal children aged 5 to 15 years old in two major tribal districts of Indore division. Permissions and consent were obtained from local administrative authorities, ethical committee and parents respectively. A structured proforma was used to record demographic data. Examination for dentofacial anomalies was conducted according to WHO 1997 survey methods. Descriptive tables and analytical tests like ANOVA, post-hoc and chi-square test were employed.

Results

The mean age was 9.75(±2.43) years. The mean DAI score among 12 to 15 years old children was 23.19±5.22. Female exhibited higher (24.51±5.34) mean DAI score compared to males (22.12±4.87) (p<0.05). The Patelia tribes (24.38±5.13) reported higher mean DAI score than Bhilala (23.02±5.69) and Bhil tribe (22.73±4.79) (p<0.005).

Conclusion

The tribal children had minor malocclusion with no or slight treatment need. Categorization of orthodontic treatment need according to malocclusion severity is particularly important for the planning of corresponding public policies. The isolation of the villages, lack of transportation options imposes limitations on the availability of health professionals to provide dental services.

Dental caries and their treatment needs in 3-5 year old preschool children in a rural district of India

Background:

Dental problems in the preschool children are neglected by their parents as the deciduous teeth are going to shed off, and hence considered to be of no importance and more of economic burden if attended to them.

Aims:

This study was to determine the caries prevalence in preschool children (3-5-year-old) of rural Moradabad district, to analyze the specific pattern of dental caries experience in this population and to assess the treatment needs among them.

Material and Methods:

Children within the age group of 3-5 years attending Anganwadi centers of rural Moradabad district were included in the study. Caries diagnosis was based on decayed, extracted, filled surface (defs) and the treatment needs were recorded using World Health Organization (WHO) oral health assessment form 1997.

Results:

Out of 1,500 children examined, 48.7% males and 52.6% females did not require any treatment. The mean decayed, extracted, filled teeth (deft) value was found to be significantly high in 5-year-old participants when compared to 3-year-old participants (P < 0.01). Majority of the children required one surface filling followed by two surface fillings, caries arresting sealant care, extraction, crown bridge element, pulp care, and space maintainer.

Conclusion:

The most common pattern was pit and fissure, then maxillary anterior pattern, posterior proximal pattern, and posterior buccal lingual smooth surface pattern. The mean deft value was higher in males as compared to females. There is a greater need for oral health education among parents and teachers.

Prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs in children in coastal areas of West Bengal

Objective:

This study was carried out to measure the caries prevalence and treatment needs in school children of 6-14 year old residing in coastal areas of West Bengal.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 1764 children of 6-14 years age group, studying in different primary and high schools of the coastal areas were examined using World Health Organization criteria (1997) to record the prevalence of dental caries. The treatment needs were also calculated according to that given criteria.

Statistical Analysis:

The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Chi-square test and unpaired ‘t’ test.

Results:

Dental caries were founded low in the studied population. The overall all caries prevalence in the permanent dentition was 28.06%, in boys it was 25.39% and in girls it was 30.86%. Therefore caries prevalence in female was higher and which was statistically highly significant (P < 0.05). The most frequently required treatment was one surface filling followed by other treatments irrespective of sex and age group.

Discussion:

The presence of sea foods containing high fluoride and least availability of refined carbohydrate in the diet may be the reason of lower prevalence.

Conclusion:

child oral health is always a matter of concern for a developing country so further research is required to explore actual causes.