Dental caries status and treatment needs of the permanent dentition of 6-12-year-olds in Hong Kong

Abstract Background Children suffer a significant burden of oral diseases which impacts their quality of life, and general health. Many epidemiological studies have looked at oral health status and treatment needs among children in urban and rural areas across different age groups. There was limited literature assessing the oral health status among children in tribal areas, which presents unique challenges in terms of: topography, availability of health services, and complex socio-cultural health practices. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 children across six schools between 12-15 years in Jawadhi Hills, Tamil Nadu, India. World Health Organization's, Oral Health Surveys were used for clinical and risk factor assessments. Clinical examination was conducted, and self-assessed questionnaire was administered to the children to assess the risk factors to poor oral health. Since dental fluorosis was common, drinking water samples were collected to assess fluoride levels in the community. Results Prevalence of dental caries and gingivitis (gum disease) was found to be 22.3% and 87.3% respectively. Dental Pain was reported by 57% of children as the most common reason to visit the dentist. Prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 53.6%. Multiple logistic regression showed: gender, dental fluorosis, diet, and maternal education significantly associated (p < 0.005) with dental caries. Fluoride levels in water was found to be higher than permissible limits (>1.5 ppm). Conclusions Children requiring treatment (∼ 200) were referred to the local hospital, and treatment was done free-of-cost. School authorities were informed about the current oral health status of children and advised to conduct regular health education & dental camps; the importance of girls' education was emphasized. Local authorities were alerted about the fluoride-rich water situation in the community and educated about defluoridation methods that the community can employ at household level. Key messages Evidence-based burden of oral diseases was presented to the local authorities for the first time, with a call for action. A referral system was established between the schools and the local hospital, to ensure continuity of oral health care for the children.

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Color/race inequalities in oral health among Brazilian adolescents

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/s1415-790x2009000300003 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 313-324 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

João Luiz Bastos ◽

José Leopoldo Ferreira Antunes ◽

Antonio Carlos Frias ◽

Maria da Luz Rosário de Souza ◽

Karen Glazer Peres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Oral Disease ◽

World Health ◽

Treatment Needs ◽

Gingival Bleeding ◽

Untreated Dental Caries ◽

Oral Health Outcomes

This study assessed oral health outcomes (perceived dental treatment need, untreated dental caries, gingival bleeding, periodontal pockets, and pain in teeth and gums), in relation to color/race inequalities among adolescents in each Brazilian region. The database included dental examination and interview of 16,833 15-19-year-old adolescents, surveyed by the Brazilian health authority, from May 2002 to October 2003, in accordance with international diagnostic criteria standardized by the World Health Organization. Prevalence ratios estimated by Poisson regression, and controlled by socioeconomic status and access to fluoridated piped water, assessed oral health differentials among color/race groups and country's regions. Except for periodontal pockets, prevalence figures were higher in the North and Northeast: perceived dental treatment needs, untreated dental caries, gingival bleeding at probing and pain in teeth and gums varied between 80-83%, 75-76%, 38-43%, and 17-18%, respectively, in these regions. Adolescents living in the Southeast - the richest Brazilian region - presented a better general profile of oral health than their counterparts living in the remaining regions; they had a lower prevalence of untreated dental caries (54%) and unfavorable gingival status (29%). However, the Southeast presented color/race inequalities in all oral health outcomes, with a poorer profile systematically affecting browns or blacks, depending on the oral health condition under consideration. These results reinforce the need for expanding the amplitude of health initiatives aimed at adolescent oral health. Socially appropriate health programs should concurrently aim at the reduction of levels of oral disease and its inequalities.

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The Relation Between Dental Caries in the Primary and Permanent Dentition of the Same Individual

Journal of Public Health Dentistry ◽

10.1111/j.1752-7325.1980.tb01845.x ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 17-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Sven Poulsen ◽

Anna-Karin Holm

Keyword(s):

Dental Caries ◽

Permanent Dentition

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Oral Health Status and Practices of 5 and 12 Year Old Indian Tribal Children

Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ◽

10.17796/jcpd.35.3.c8063171438k4362 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 325-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Abhinav Singh ◽

MP Bharathi ◽

Peter Sequeira ◽

Shashidhar Acharya ◽

Meghashyam Bhat

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Dental Fluorosis ◽

Age Groups ◽

Oral Health Status ◽

Sugar Consumption ◽

Treatment Needs ◽

Periodontal Index

Objectives: To assess oral health status and practices of 5- and 12-year-old Tribal school children.Methods: A total of 418, 5-year-old children and 327, 12-year-old children were enrolled. Information on demographic characteristics of participants along with oral health behavior was collected. Clinical data were collected on dental fluorosis, periodontal status, dental caries and treatment needs. Dean's index criterion was used to assess dental fluorosis. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) for periodontal conditions and Dentition status and treatment needs for dental caries were recorded. Results: Between meal sugar consumption was high (100%). None of the children in both the age groups had visited trained health personnel for dental treatment. Dental fluorosis prevalence in 5- and 12-year olds was 11.9% and 22.9% respectively. Bleeding on probing and calculus was common between both the age groups. A low mean number of healthy sextants were found and this decreased with age. Mean dmft/DMFT values for 5- and 12-year olds were 4.13 ± 3.90 and 1.15 ± 1.62. Significant caries index (SIC) scores for 5- and 12-year olds were 7.17 ±4.30 and 3.78 ± 3.21 respectively. Conclusion: The present study reveals high sugar consumption, dental fluorosis, poor oral hygiene, and untreated dental disease of tribal children. Under these circumstances, the implementation of preventive programs including restriction of sweets in school premises for the tribal children is the key to good oral health.

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