Introducing a Specific Term to Present Caries Experience in Populations with Low Caries Prevalence: Specific Affected Caries Index (SaC)

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Schmoeckel ◽  
Ruth M. Santamaría ◽  
Roger Basner ◽  
Elisabeth Schüler ◽  
Christian H. Splieth

Up to now, indices like the mean dmft/DMFT and the SiC (Significant Caries Index) have been used to depict caries experience in populations with high prevalence. With the caries decline, particularly for populations with low caries levels, these indices reach their statistical limits. This paper aims to introduce a specific term, the Specific affected Caries Index (SaC) for the risk groups in populations with low caries prevalence and to illustrate its use based on the consecutive German National Oral Health Survey (GNOHS) in children. In groups with a caries prevalence less than one-third of the population, many caries-free children (DMFT = 0) are included in the SiC (risk group), which calls for a new way of illustration. Mean caries experience (DMFT), caries prevalence, the SiC and SaC were portrayed for 12-year-olds in the GNOHS from 1994/95 to 2016. The SaC describes the mean caries experience (DMFT) in the group presenting caries experience (DMFT > 0). In 12-year-old 6th graders in Germany, the mean caries experience decreased from 2.4 (1994/95) to 0.4 DMFT (2016), with a recent prevalence of 21.2% (DMFT > 0, 2016). In 2016, the mean number of affected teeth in children with DMFT > 0 (SaC) was 2.1, while the SiC including 12% DMFT-free children in the risk group was 1.3. The SiC fails to reflect the caries severity in children in a population with low caries prevalence. Therefore, the newly introduced term Specific affected Caries Index (SaC) may be used to describe accurately caries experience in caries risk children in populations presenting low caries prevalence.

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 609-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian H. Splieth ◽  
Ruth M. Santamaria ◽  
Roger Basner ◽  
Elisabeth Schüler ◽  
Julian Schmoeckel

This study assessed the 40-year longitudinal caries development in German adolescents in the light of the sixth National Oral Health Survey in Children (NOHSC, 2016) employing initial DMFT (IDMFT), Significant Caries Index (SiC) and Specific Affected Caries Index (SaC). On the basis of the current NOHSC (randomized cluster selection using school list or regional community school surveys, 55,956 12-year-old sixth-graders examined by 482 calibrated community/study dentists) DMFT, SiC, a novel IDMFT including initial lesions (IT) and the recently introduced SaC were calculated and also recalculated for national and international surveys from the last 4 decades. In 2016, 78.8% of children were caries-free (DMFT = 0), 65.5% including IT lesions. The mean DMFT was 0.44 (single components: DT = 0.14, MT = 0.02, FT = 0.29, IT = 0.52) showing a clear association with the school type as marker for the socio-economic status. The mean number of affected teeth in children with DMFT >0 was 2.07 (SaC) in comparison to almost 9 teeth in the 1970s. The current care index on the tooth level was 66.3%, leaving only 7.7% of children with restorative treatment needs. Longitudinally, a continuous caries decline of more than 80%, including the risk groups (SiC/SaC), to an internationally extremely low level was observed. In conclusion, the National Oral Health Surveys reveal a continuous caries decline to a very low caries level in 12-year-old 6th-graders in Germany even if IT lesions are included (IDMFT). In spite of proportional reductions in the risk groups (SiC/SaC), the polarized caries distribution according to socio-economic parameters reveals the need for targeted preventive programmes.


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoyou Wang ◽  
Wensheng Rong ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Xiaojuan Zeng ◽  
Zhiqiang Li ◽  
...  

Background From 2005 to 2015, the prevalence of dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions was significantly increased in China. Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of permanent dental caries in school-aged children had already reached 19.7%–54.0%, 97.5% affecting first permanent molars. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of dental caries in 6-year-old children in four regions of China to provide information for oral health promotion programs. Methods A randomized cluster sampling method was employed in the study. All 6-year-old first grade children from the selected schools were invited to receive a clinical oral examination. Dental caries were diagnosed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The erupting first permanent molars were recorded using the modified International Caries Detection Assessment System. Questionnaires assessing children’s oral health-related behaviors and their caretakers’ oral health awareness and attitudes were completed by the children’s parents or guardians. Results Overall, 4,936 6-year-old school children participated in the survey. The prevalence of caries among these children was 87.7%, with a mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth of 6.04 (SD, 4.24). In primary dentition, the caries prevalence was 87.7%, and the mean dmft score was 6.01 (SD, 4.22). In permanent dentition, the caries prevalence was 2.0%, the mean DFS score was 0.04 (SD, 0.31). All permanent dental caries occurred on the first permanent molars. Carious tooth surfaces were identified as modified ICDAS code “A” to indicate initial caries and distinct visual change in enamel. The mean DAS score of non-cavitated caries in the first permanent molars was 0.18 (SD, 0.67). Logistic regression analysis showed that regional and gender factors were significantly related to the caries experience of these children. Conclusions The 6-year-old children from four regions of China had sever primary dental caries and the first permanent molars were at high risk for dental caries. It is critical to protect permanent teeth from caries as early as the eruption of the first permanent molars.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Martignon ◽  
Andrea Cortes ◽  
Soledad Isabel Gómez ◽  
Gina Alejandra Castiblanco ◽  
Ximena Baquero ◽  
...  

Abstract A caries-epidemiological study using the ICDASepi-merged system was conducted in Colombian young children. This study aimed at associating the time needed for the clinical examination of caries and caries risk in 1 to 5-year-old children according to age and caries risk, and to assess behavior and child pain self-perception during examination according to age. After IRB approval and given parents/caregivers’ informed consent, seven trained examiners assessed 1 to 5-year olds in kindergartens under local field conditions. ICDASepi-merged caries experience (depiMEmf) was assessed as follows: Initial-depi (ICDAS 1/2 without air-drying); Moderate-dM (ICDAS 3,4); Extensive-dE (ICDAS 5,6) lesions; due-to-caries fillings-f and missing-m surfaces/teeth. Caries risk was assessed with Cariogram®. Child’s behavior (Frankl-Behavior-Rating-Scale) and self-perceived pain (Visual-Analogue-Scale-of-Faces) during examination were evaluated. Clinical examination time was recorded with a stopwatch. A total of 592 children participated (1-yr.: n=31; 2-yrs.: n=96; 3-yrs.: n=155; 4-yrs.: n=209, 5-yrs.: n=101). The depiMEmfs prevalence was of 79.9% and the mean 8.4±10.4. Most were high-caries-risk children (68.9%). The majority (58.9%) showed ≥ positive-behavior and ≤ light-pain self-perception (88.4%). Mean clinical examination time was around 3.5 minutes (216.9±133.9 seconds). For 5-yr. olds it corresponded to 4 minutes (240.4±145.0 seconds) vs. 2 minutes (122.8±80.1 seconds) for 1-yr. olds (Kruskal-Wallis; p=0.00). For high- and low-caries risk children it was around 4.3 minutes (255.7±118.5 seconds) and 3.3 minutes (201.3±129.4 seconds), respectively (ANOVA; p=0.01). This study demonstrates using the ICDAS system in young children is feasible, taking less than 4 minutes for the clinical examination without children behavior/pain self-perception issues.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
Deepak Kumar Roy ◽  
Punam Basnet Dixit ◽  
Siddharth Ghimire ◽  
Roshan Kumar Roy ◽  
Aashish Pandey ◽  
...  

Introduction: The prevalence of high dental anxiety varies from 2% to 30% worldwide depending on the study population, the methods applied, and the cut-off scores used. There is strong evidence that dental anxiety is associated with dental attendance; it has been reported that individuals with higher dental anxiety tend to visit the dentist irregularly, which in turn may lead to deterioration in oral health. Studies have demonstrated that dental anxiety is associated with poor self-reported and clinically assigned oral health, more decayed and missing teeth, fewer filled teeth and worse periodontal health. Dental students are the future dental doctors who will be dealing with fearful patients in future. Knowing the facts on dental anxiety will have positive impact while treating and dealing such patients. Objectives: The overall objectives of the study were to assess level of anxiety and its possible effect on prevalence of caries among dental students studying at Kathmandu medical college and Dental hospital. Specific: To access the level of anxiety among dental students of different years (from first year to final year) along it was further focused to analyse the level of anxiety among male and female dental students. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted to choose a random convenient sample. The data were collected from dental students of first year to final year studying at Kathmandu medical college dental hospital–KMCDH. A structured questionnaire based on modified dental anxiety scale was used to collect the data. Patients were examined for dental caries prevalence using decay, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index according to World Health Organisation guidelines. Results: The highest MDAS was seen among the younger batches and the mean values for MDAS declined with higher batch of dental students. The mean dental anxiety score for males was 8.9 and 15.5 for females. The difference was statistically significant the most fearful stimulus in dental clinic for both genders was local anesthetic injection, followed by drilling of teeth. Conclusion: Dental anxiety remains a significant problem for many patients of both gender and different age groups of examined students. Dental anxiety has a negative effect on oral health status by increasing the prevalence of decayed teeth. Further studies should be carried out using large random samples before generalizing this conclusion.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 489-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin T. van der Tas ◽  
Lea Kragt ◽  
Jaap J.S. Veerkamp ◽  
Vincent W.V. Jaddoe ◽  
Henriette A. Moll ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in caries prevalence of children from ethnic minority groups compared to native Dutch children and the influence of socio-economic status (SES) and parent-reported oral health behaviour on this association. The study had a cross-sectional design, embedded in a population-based prospective multi-ethnic cohort study. 4,306 children with information on caries experience, belonging to 7 different ethnic groups, participated in this study. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index was assessed at the age of 6 and categorized in two ways for analysis: children without caries (dmft = 0) versus any caries experience (dmft >0) and children without caries (dmft = 0) versus children with mild caries (dmft = 1-3) or severe caries (dmft >3). Compared to native Dutch children, children with a Surinamese-Hindustani, Surinamese-Creole, Turkish, Moroccan, and Cape Verdean background had significantly higher odds for dental caries. Especially the Surinamese-Hindustani, Turkish, and Moroccan group had significantly higher odds for severe dental caries. Household income and educational level of the mother explained up to 43% of the association between ethnicity and dental caries, whereas parent-reported oral health behaviour did not mediate the association. Alarming disparities in caries prevalence between different ethnic (minority) groups exist, which cannot be fully explained by social inequalities. Public health strategies can apply this new knowledge and specifically focus on the reduction of ethnic disparities in oral health. More research is needed to explain the high caries prevalence among different ethnic minority groups.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan E Enabulele ◽  
Kennedy E Omanudhowho ◽  
Nneka M Chukwumah

Introduction: Dental caries is a public oral health problem and one of the major unmet needs in oral health amongst children and young population. This study sought to assess the caries experience as well as determine the significant risk indicators for caries among young adults attending a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Method: A one year retrospective study of patients within the age group 20-40 years who visited the dental out-patient clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The data of interest retrieved from the files included demographics (Gender, Age, Marital Status and Occupation), presenting complaint, missing teeth, decayed teeth, filled teeth. All data collected was subjected to statistical analysis in form of frequencies, percentages, Mean, T-test, cross tabulations, logistic regression and chi square with level of significance set at 0.05 using Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 21.0. Results: A total of 1,803 patients’ records were used for the study. The caries prevalence in this study population was high (65.2%) with a mean DMFT score of 1.93±2.3.The mean DMFT for males was 1.75±2.02 while for females was 2.12±2.54 and this was statistically significant. Occupation and age were associated with caries experience. The tooth with the highest caries affectation was the first permanent molars. Conclusion:The caries prevalence in this study population was high; occupation and age were significant risk indicators for caries, while married young adults had a greater caries experience.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Christina Carvalho ◽  
Ulrich Schiffner

This review assesses the development of oral health habits and status in European adults (35–44 years old) and senior citizens (65–74 years old) over the period of 1996–2016. There seem to be good opportunities for improving oral health habits by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste among adults, as only 33–85% reported doing so. Caries experience was extensive among adults (≥92%). In adults of 23 countries, the mean DMFT score ranged from 6.6 to 17.6 (median 12.1). In senior citizens of 21 countries, the mean DMFT score varied from 14.7 to 25.5 (median 22.0). Repeated cross-sectional studies on caries trends in adults revealed a reduction of the DMFT value by 20%, referring to country-wide data. Among senior citizens, the corresponding reduction was 13%, with a shift in the DMFT components, i.e., with lower MT and higher FT scores. Edentulousness in the age group of 35- to 44-year-olds started disappearing in Europe from the year 2000, and had been markedly reduced in some countries during the last decade. However, the eradication of edentulousness among 65- to 74-year-olds has not yet been reported. Further epidemiological surveys should apply caries diagnostic criteria that, besides representing our contemporary understanding of oral health care, allow comparisons with previous surveys using the WHO criteria. In conclusion, in the last two decades, a decline in caries was observed among European adults, and to a lesser extent among senior citizens. It is expected that the decline in caries will contribute to better oral health of individuals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abrar Alanzi ◽  
Mariam Alkheder ◽  
Muawia Qudeimat

Objective: To investigate the oral health status and dental manifestations of children with a history of chronic liver disease (CLD) compared to healthy children.Subjects and Methods: Twenty children (15 boys and 5 girls) with a history of CLD were compared to 20 healthy controls matched for age and gender. The clinical examination was carried out by the same dentist. Caries prevalence, using the decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent teeth indices (dmft/DMFT), was recorded. Developmental enamel defects, plaque scores, and gingival overgrowth were also investigated. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in mean dmft scores for children with a history of CLD (4.9 ± 5.4) and for healthy individuals (3.9 ± 4.5). However, the mean DMFT score was significantly higher (p =0.025) in children with CLD (4.2 ± 4.6) compared to controls (1.7 ± 1.6). The mean decayed teeth parameter (DT) was also significantly higher in children with CLD (p =0.004). All patients with CLD exhibited enamel defects compared to only 33% in the control group (p< 0.05). A higher mean plaque index was observed in children with a history of CLD (p< 0.001). Also, a positive correlation for gingival overgrowth was noted in patients with a history of CLD (p< 0.05). Green staining was evident only in the permanent dentition of 1 child with CLD. Conclusion: Children with a history of CLD exhibited a high caries prevalence, high plaque scores, and more enamel defects compared to healthy subjects. Gingival overgrowth is less prevalent among pediatric liver transplant patients on tacrolimus therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2602
Author(s):  
Peter Schmidt ◽  
Michael Egermann ◽  
Claudia Sauerland ◽  
Andreas G. Schulte

Background: In Germany, there is limited evidence on the oral health of adults with intellectual disabilities (AwID). Methods: In 2017/18, dental examinations of AwID and a questionnaire survey of their legal guardians were carried out. The mean D3MFT values were calculated to describe the caries experience. The prevalence of AwID with at least one fissure sealant (FS) was determined and associations between caries experience and various sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, living arrangements) were investigated. Results: The data of 132 AwID (mean age 35.2 years; range 18–69 years) could be included. For all AwIDs the mean D3MFT value was 9.5 (95% CI 8.1–11.0). The mean D3MFT value for the 35–44-year-olds was 10.9 (95% CI 8.4–13.4). All caries-free persons (n = 14) were younger than 45 years. Furthermore, the mean D3MFT value for AwID living with their parents was lower at a statistically significant level than that of AwID in independent living arrangements. Moreover, younger AwIDs (18–34-year-olds) with at least one FS had a statistically significantly lower mean D3MFT value compared to those without any FS (D3MFT: 3.0 vs. 6.7). Conclusions: The dental health of AwID has improved in Germany in recent years, but, on average, AwIDs still have more missing teeth than their peers in the general population. Oral epidemiological studies on AwID should include information on their living arrangements to assess potential associations between sociodemographic factors and oral health.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245345
Author(s):  
Fudong Zhu ◽  
Yao Chen ◽  
Yunxian Yu ◽  
Yanyi Xie ◽  
Haihua Zhu ◽  
...  

Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting 6–8-year-old children, especially their first permanent molars (FPMs). This study explored the prevalence of dental caries on FPMs by analyzing the oral health status of 1,423,720 children aged 6–8 years in Zhejiang Province, China. The data were extracted from the dental electronic records of the schoolchildren attending the Oral Health Promotion Project (OHPP), conducted during 2013–2017 in Zhejiang Province. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the factors affecting dental caries. Boys and girls accounted for 53.2% and 46.8% of the subjects, respectively. From 2013 to 2017, the prevalence of dental caries on FPMs increased: 2013: 20.4%; 2014: 25.3%; 2015: 24.5%; 2016: 27.0%; and 2017: 29.0%, despite the OHPP conducted. Based on multiple logistic regression model, girls had a significantly higher risk of FPM caries compared to boys (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.37–1.39, p < 0.0001); compared with the caries rates in urban areas, the caries risk was significantly higher in rural areas (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.14–1.16, p < 0.0001). In terms of geographic location in Zhejiang Province, the odds ratios of the caries risk of the east, south, west, and north were 1.35 (1.33–1.36), 1.3 (1.28–1.31), 0.81 (0.8–0.83), and 0.82 (0.81–0.84), respectively (p < 0.0001), by considering the central region as a reference. The caries prevalence of FPMs was high, with an increasing tendency and gender, social, cultural, and environmental factors affecting the caries prevalence.


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