Subtypes of early childhood caries predict future caries experience

Objectives: To test whether postulated subtypes of early childhood caries (ECC) are predictive of subsequent caries experience in a population-based cohort of Swedish children. Methods: The study included children aged between 3 and 5 years at study entry with dental records available for at least 5 years of follow-up. Dental record data were retrieved from the Swedish Quality Registry for Caries and Periodontal disease (SKaPa) for the initial and follow-up visits. Participants who had ECC at study entry were assigned to one of five ECC subtypes (termed classes 1 to 5) using latent class modelling of tooth surface-level caries experience. Subsequent experience of caries was assessed using the decayed, missing, and filled surfaces indices (dmfs/DMFS) at follow-up visits, and compared between ECC subtypes using logistic and negative binomial regression modelling. Results: The study included 128,355 children who had 3 or more dental visits spanning at least 5 years post baseline. Of these children, 31,919 had caries at the initial visit. Baseline ECC subtype was associated with differences in subsequent disease experience. As an example, 83% of children who had a severe form of ECC at age 5 went on to have caries in the permanent dentition by the end of the study, compared to 51% of children who were caries-free at age 5 (adjusted odds ratio of 4.9 for new disease at their third follow-up). Conclusions: ECC subtypes assigned at a baseline visit are associated with differences in subsequent caries experience in both primary and permanent teeth. This suggests that the development and future validation of an ECC classification can be used in addition to current prediction tools to help identify children at high risk of developing new caries lesions throughout childhood and adolescence.

Oral Health among Adult Residents in Vilnius, Lithuania

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) oral conditions may be determined by social, biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. The study assessed oral health status and its determinants associated with oral health conditions among adult residents in Vilnius, Lithuania. A total of 453 of 35–74-year-olds participated (response rate 63%). A self-reported questionnaire was administered. Dental caries experience (D3MFS score), periodontal probing depth (PPD), andnumber of missing teeth were assessed clinically. Data were analyzed using χ2 test, independent samples t-test, and multivariable linear regression. The mean (sd) of D3MFS scores was 67.3 (33.5), the mean (sd) number of teeth with PPD 4+ mm was 5.9 (5.3), prevalence of periodontitis was 33%, the mean (sd) number of missing teeth was 6.9 (6.8), and prevalence of total edentulism was 3.8%. Medication use was associated with all oral health conditions, while age was associated with caries experience, and missing teeth. Sugar-containing diet was associated with caries experience, and missing teeth, and smoking with caries experience and periodontal status. Systemic diseases were associated with periodontal status, while behavioral determinants, last dental visit, and use of fluoridated toothpaste were associated with missing teeth. Oral health status among adult Vilnius residents was poor. Oral conditions were associated with both biological and behavioral determinants. Oral health promotion should focus on modifying behavioral determinants.

Dietary Determinants of Dental Caries Prevalence and Experience in Saudi Schoolchildren: Frequency versus Quantity

Background. Sugar-added diet has been associated with increased risk of developing dental caries. Objective. To investigate the dietary determinants of caries prevalence and experience based on the frequency versus the quantity of consumption among Saudi schoolchildren. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that invited 12- to 15-year-old intermediate school students (N = 3000) in four cities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data collection comprised a pretested questionnaire and clinical examination. Caries was diagnosed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and was recorded as a decayed, missing, filled tooth (DMFT). The questionnaire included questions regarding the consumption of different quantities and frequencies of multiple sugar-containing food items. Multiple logistic and linear regression models were used to assess the influence of sugar-containing food on the dental caries experience (DMFT) and prevalence of decayed teeth. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data at 5% significance level. Results. Of 3000 invited students, 2262 participated with a participation rate of 75.4%. Our study found that the frequency of soft drink consumption was significantly associated with increased caries prevalence (adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.07–1.65) and experience (adjusted B = 0.46, 95% CI 0.16–0.76). The frequency of consumption of fruit juice was statistically significantly associated with increased caries experience (adjusted B = 0.48, 95% CI 0.16–0.79). The interaction terms between the frequency and the quantity of consumption of energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened milk were statistically significantly related to caries experience and prevalence. Conclusion. Although the frequency of consumption of sugar-containing drinks was more associated with caries experience and prevalence, the interaction between frequency and quantity was highly related to the prevalence and experience of dental caries.

Biofilm Accumulation and Sucrose Rinse Modulate the Calcium and Fluoride Bioavailability in the Saliva of Children with Early Childhood Caries

This quasi-experimental study aimed at investigating the combined effect of biofilm accumulation and 20% sucrose rinse on the modulation of calcium (Ca2+), phosphate (Pi), and fluoride (F-) bioavailability in saliva of children with early childhood caries (ECC). In-that, fifty-six preschoolers of both genders were evaluated according to caries experience and activity: caries-free (CF, n=28) and with ECC (n=28) and then, submitted to biofilm intervention (biofilm accumulation or no biofilm accumulation). In each situation, saliva samples were collected before and five minutes after a 20% sucrose rinse to determine the concentrations of Ca2+, Pi, and F−. Calcium concentration was significantly lower in the biofilm accumulation situation compared to the situation of biofilm mechanical control, except for children CF after sucrose rinse. Biofilm accumulation increased salivary calcium concentration in children with ECC after sucrose rinse, whereas mechanical biofilm control reduced it in both groups. The phosphate concentration was influenced by mechanical control of the biofilm in CF children. The fluoride bioavailability was reduced by sucrose rinse and biofilm accumulation in CF and ECC children. In conclusion, the combined effect of biofilm accumulation and sucrose rinse modifies the bioavailability of calcium and fluoride in the saliva of children with early childhood caries.

Dental Caries Experience in 6-13 Years Old School Children of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Dental caries though preventable oral health problem is affecting school children worldwide and around 50% of Nepalese children are suffering from it. Baseline data with good understanding of dental caries and associated risk factors are necessary to form preventive strategies for setting and achieving oral health goals. Objective: This study was conducted to determine dental caries experience and associated risk factors among school-going children of 6-13 years old in Dharan sub-metropolitan city, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 5th Jan 2018 to 4th Jan 2019 among 680 school children selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Pretested, standardized, closed-ended questionnaire answered by the parents was used to gather information regarding the associated risk factors. Dental caries experience was obtained from deft/DMFT (WHO modification 1997). Comparison of categorical data was done using Chi-square test. Multivariable binary logistic regressions were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The overall caries prevalence was 61.6%, in primary dentition it was 48.25% and in permanent dentition it was 34.4%. Dental caries experience was with mean deft 4.67 (±2.7) in primary dentition and mean DMFT 1.72 (±1.05).in permanent dentition. Multivariate analysis showed significant association between dental caries experience and grade three and grade four school children had experienced greater caries (p<0.05, OR =2.7). Dental caries was associated with eating sweets at night (p<0.001, OR=2.5) and snacking in-between meals (p<0.001, OR=2.5). Conclusions: Dental caries among school-children in Dharan showed a significant burden especially within the primary dentition. It was significantly associated with factors like feeding habits -eating sweets in a day, eating sweets at night and snaking in between meals

Dental Caries Prevalence among 3 - 14 Year Old School Children of Chitwan

Introduction: Dental caries, an infectious microbiologic disease of dental hard tissues is a global public health problem. It affects people of all ages with the highest priority risk group being school-going children. Objective: This study was done to assess the prevalence of dental caries in the 3-14 years old school children of Chitwan and to compare it across genders, age groups and school groups. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to May 2018 where WHO criteria was used to examine and calculate DMFT and dft (decayed filled teeth) indices among 360 school children. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20. Statistical significance was determined using independent t-test and ANOVA test. Results: The prevalence of the dental caries was found to be 85.83% with mean DMFT of 3.01 ± 2.24 among school children of Chitwan. Caries prevalence was higher in females compared to males, and in government schools compared to private school. Caries experience was highest in middle childhood group 7-12 years (89.20%, mean “DMFT+dft” 3.56 ± 2.33) followed by late childhood group of 13-14 years (84.72%, mean DMFT 2.68 ± 1.95) and early childhood group of 3-6 years (77.33%, mean dft 1.76 ± 1.60) and the differences were statistically significant. The difference in caries experience between private and government school groups as well as in male and female children was not statistically significant. 82.7% of the children had untreated caries while only 5.83% had filled teeth in their mouth. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries was higher in middle childhood group and higher percentage of untreated decays, calls for the need of immediate preventive as well as curative interventions.

Association between oral health status and family quality of life among schoolchildren – A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the association between oral health and family quality of life (QoL) among 6-12 years schoolchildren. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 schoolchildren of age group 6–12 years in Bengaluru, India. A 14-item pre-validated family impact scale (FIS) instrument was used to assess parental family QoL. The World Health Organization oral health pro forma (2013) was used to assess oral health status of children. Pearson’s correlation, Spearman’s correlation, and logistic regression analysis were performed. P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the study participants was 9.33 ± 1.85 years. Mean FIS score was 8.1 ± 5.5. The proportion of participants with caries experience, gingival bleeding, dental trauma, and dentinal erosion was 66%, 41%, 16%, and 17%, respectively. Children with caries experience were more likely to have family impact than those without caries (decay, missing, filled teeth) [P < 0.05]). Conclusion: There was an association between oral health status and family QoL among 6–12 years schoolchildren. Dental caries had an impact on family QoL among the schoolchildren in Bengaluru city.

Association between Insufficient Sleep and Dental Caries among Preschoolers in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study

Recently, sleeping status has attracted attention for its relationship with oral health. In the present study, we have investigated the association between early childhood caries and sleeping status. A multicentre observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 332 preschoolers (aged 3–6 years) and their parents in Chitose, Japan. Dental caries and sleeping status were assessed in the children and the sleep quality and health literacy of the parents were also assessed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used in order to investigate the effect of the sleeping status of the parents and their children on dental caries. Among the children, the prevalence of dental caries experience was 12.7%. The children without caries slept significantly longer and their parents had a better Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score than those with caries experience. The sleeping status and the numbers of caries in the children were significantly correlated. Health literacy was better in those without caries experience. Parents’ PSQI was significantly positively correlated with the numbers of caries in the children (r = 0.19, p = 0.0004). The children’s sleep durations, screen time, and parental smoking status were independently associated with early childhood caries. Poor sleeping status of children and their parents is related to dental caries among preschoolers.

Dental Caries Prevalence and Experience (ICDAS II Criteria) of 5-, 12- and 15-Year-Old Children and Adolescents with an Immigrant Background in Greece, Compared with the Host Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Evidence regarding disparities in oral health among native and immigrant child and adolescent populations in Europe is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the caries status of 5-, 12-, and 15-year-olds with an immigrant background in Greece in relation to their sociodemographic characteristics and compare their caries levels with those of their native Greek peers. A sample of 707 immigrants underwent clinical examination for caries (ICDAS II criteria), followed by a calculation of caries prevalence and experience estimates (2013–2014). Multivariable regression models assessed the effect of ethnic background on the caries experience (d3–6mfs/D3–6MFS) of the total (707 immigrants and 3702 Greeks) population, and the association between parental education level and the immigrants’ d3–6mfs/D3–6MFS. Among the 5- and 12-year-olds, those with an immigrant background demonstrated higher caries rates and had unfulfilled treatment needs at higher proportions. Among 15-year-old adolescents, no considerable differences in caries status were observed according to ethnic background (native Greek or immigrant). The strength of the association between immigrant background and caries experience levels attenuated gradually with increasing age (IRR = 1.61, 1.27 and 1.10, and p = 0.001, p = 0.006 and p = 0.331 for 5-, 12- and 15-year-olds, respectively). Among the immigrants, adolescents with less educated mothers exhibited elevated caries levels. Public health strategies should prioritize immigrant children and early adolescents in order to reduce the existing ethnic disparities in oral health.