Oral hygiene behaviors and caries experience in Northwest PRECEDENT patients

Prevalence of Dental Caries in Children Visiting a Dental College and Hospital in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study

AIM

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of dental caries in school children visiting a dental college and hospital and investigate the associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty children were recruited in this study between the ages of 6-12 years. The caries prevalence of decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) was recorded using an evaluation form. A structured questionnaire was used to understand the associated risk factors.

RESULTS

The caries prevalence in the population was found to be at 91.25%. There was a strong negative correlation between age and dental caries and the results were statistically significant with p-value being less than 0.0001. The duration of bottle and breastfeeding, frequency of teeth brushing, adult supervision during brushing, consumption frequency of sweets, and the frequency or timing of children's dental visits were found to be positively associated with dental caries and these results were statistically significant with p-value being less than 0.05.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of dental caries was observed among the population visiting the dental college and hospital. Encouraging dental health education, including promoting the significance of good oral hygiene practices, is crucial.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The study emphasizes the rising prevalence of dental caries and underscores the need for dental health education and the promotion of good oral hygiene practices to prevent complications and reduce their prevalence.

Children's oral health-related behaviours and early childhood caries: A latent class analysis

OBJECTIVE

In this cross-sectional study in a large community-based sample of preschool-age children, we sought to identify distinct clusters of modifiable early childhood oral health-related behaviours (OHBs) and quantify their association with clinical and parent-reported measures of early childhood oral health.

METHODS

We relied upon a questionnaire (n = 8033; 11% in Spanish) and clinical oral health data (n = 6404; early childhood caries [ECC] prevalence = 54%] collected in the context of an epidemiologic study of early childhood oral health among 3- to 5-year-old children in North Carolina. Latent class analysis was used to identify clusters of modifiable OHBs based on parents' responses to 6 questionnaire items pertaining to their children's oral hygiene, diet and dental home. The optimal number of clusters was determined based on measures of model fit and interpretability. We examined associations of OHB clusters with clinical and parent-reported child oral health status (ie, ECC prevalence, severity and proportion with untreated disease) using bivariate association tests and multivariable regression modelling with marginal effects estimation accounting for clustered data. We used Mplus v.8.6 (Muthén & Muthén, Los Angeles, CA, USA) and Stata v.16.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) for data analyses.

RESULTS

We identified 2 OHB clusters, a favourable (74%) and an unfavourable (26%) one. Children in the favourable OHB cluster had better oral hygiene practices (ie, tooth brushing frequency and fluoridated toothpaste use), lower consumption frequency of sugar-containing snacks and beverages, less frequent reports of night-time bottle-feeding history and a higher likelihood of a dental home. Children in the unfavourable cluster had significantly higher ECC prevalence (57% vs 53%), caries burden (mean dmfs = 9.3 vs 7.6), untreated disease (43% vs 33%) and worse parent-reported oral health status than the favourable cluster.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the importance and utility of clustering common, modifiable ECC risk factors in population studies - health promotion efforts may centre on groups of people rather than individual behavioural risk factors.

Influence of breastfeeding duration on the incidence of dental caries in preschoolers: a cohort study

Abstract Objectives: investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and the incidence of severe caries in preschoolers. Methods: a cohort study was conducted with 132 pairs of mothers and children in the city of Diamantina, Brazil. Data collection was performed in 2 moments: when the children were between two and three years of age (baseline- 2013/2014) and after three years (T1-2016/2017). In both moments, children were evaluated for dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System - ICDAS) and a questionnaire was administered to the mothers addressing socioeconomic aspects and thee habits of children. The outcome evaluated was the incidence of severe caries (Dentin caries - ICDAS Codes 5 and 6). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-squared test and Poisson hierarchical regression with robust variance. Results: children who breastfed for more than 24 months (RR = 2.24 CI95%= 1.23-4.08), those whose parents were separated (RR = 1.73 CI95%= 1.11-2.69), and those with estab-lished/severe caries (RR = 2.74 CI95%= 1.37-5.49) at baseline were at greater risk of incidence of severe caries after three years. Conclusion: breastfeeding for more than 24 months is a risk factor for incidence of severe caries. In addition, family structure and established or severe baseline caries were associated.

Oral health conditions and correlates: a National Oral Health Survey of Rwanda

Background: Dental diseases are chronic, lifelong and preventable yet affect over half the world's population. Personal oral hygiene practices and socio-economic factors contribute to oral health outcomes affecting oral health quality of life. Integrating basic oral care within community level health systems increases accessibility and availability of oral health resources.Objective: National Oral Health Survey of Rwanda (NOHSR) data were investigated for associations of socio-demographic characteristics, personal oral hygiene practices, oral health outcomes, and oral health quality of life indicators.Methods: Data were analyzed and descriptive statistics calculated. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to assess associations between untreated caries, calculus, and pain with various independent variables (demographics and personal oral hygiene practices). Additional logistic regression models examined associations between quality of life indicators and the aforementioned independent variables as well as untreated caries and pain.Results: Those who did not use a toothbrush (62.7%), or toothpaste (70.0%), and cleaned their teeth less than once per day (55.3%) had a higher prevalence of untreated caries. Approximately one-third of those in rural areas cleaned their teeth once per day or more compared to two-thirds of those in urban areas (35.4% vs. 71.2%). Those cleaning their teeth less than once daily were estimated to have 56.0% higher odds of caries than those who cleaned their teeth once a day or more (OR = 1.56, [95% CI 1.25-1.95]). Those with secondary education or higher and those with skilled jobs demonstrated more frequent teeth cleaning and higher toothbrush and toothpaste use. Quality-of-life indicators varied significantly with untreated caries and pain.Conclusion: Socio-economic, individual, and workforce characteristics are important considerations when assessing oral health outcomes. This study investigated social demographic disparities in relation to oral health related behaviors and outcomes. This information can help guide oral health care programming in Rwanda.

Self-reported oral hygiene practices with emphasis on frequency of tooth brushing: A cross-sectional study of Mexican older adults aged 60 years or above

The objective of the study was to characterize self-reported oral hygiene practices among Mexican older adults aged ≥60 years, and to measure the association between frequency of tooth brushing and a set of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and dental variables.We conducted a cross-sectional study of 139 older adults aged ≥60 years in Pachuca, Mexico. A questionnaire and a clinical dental examination were administered to identify specific variables. We determined frequency of tooth brushing (or cleaning of dentures or prostheses) and use of toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss among respondents. Non-parametric testing was performed for statistical analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model was generated with Stata 11 software to determine frequency of tooth brushing.In our study sample, 53.2% of participants reported brushing their teeth at least once a day, 50.4% always using toothpaste, 16.5% using mouthwash and 3.6% using floss for their oral hygiene. In general, younger and female respondents used oral hygiene aids more than the others. Our multivariate model yielded an association (P < .05) between tooth brushing at least once daily and the following variables: having functional dentition (OR = 12.60), lacking health insurance (OR = 3.72), being retired/pensioned (OR = 4.50), and suffering from a chronic disease (OR = 0.43).The older adults in our sample exhibited deficient oral hygiene behaviors. The results suggest certain socioeconomic inequalities in oral health. The findings of this study should be considered when designing dental care instructions for older adults.

Psychosocial, education, economic factors, decision-making ability, and caries status of mothers of children younger than 6 years in suburban Nigeria

Background

Little information is available on the relationship between mothers’ psychosocial profile and caries status, and less information is available on the oral health status and psychosocial status of mothers of young children in Africa. This study examined the association between the psychosocial profile of mothers in Nigeria and their prevalence of caries.

Methods

The prevalence of caries and severe caries (DMFT > 3) in mothers with children 71 months old and younger recruited through a household survey in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, was estimated through clinical examination. The explanatory variables were maternal education, income, decision-making status, and psychosocial status (dental anxiety, general anxiety, depressive symptoms, parenting stress, executive dysfunction, sense of coherence, fatalism and social support). The risk indicators for maternal caries were analyzed with logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of caries was 3.3%. Twenty (39.2%) of the 51 women with caries had DMFT > 3. Most study participants were 25–34 years old (59.3%), had secondary level education (63.1%), earned N18,000 ($49)-N30000 ($84) per month (42.9%), and can make autonomous decisions about their health care, household purchases, or visits to family/relatives (68.8%). Most women had normal general anxiety (79.9%), low dental anxiety (90.4%), and normal stress (76.4%) levels. Most also had high fatalism (56.6%), perceived moderate social support (81.6%), had normal depressive symptoms (75.9%), low executive dysfunction (55.9%), and high sense of coherence (53.8%). Mothers who had clinically significant levels of stress were twice more likely to have caries than were those whose level of stress was normal (AOR: 2.26; 95%CI: 1.04–4.89; P = 0.039). Also, mothers who had high fatalism were less likely to have caries than were those with low fatalism (AOR: 0.40; 95%CI: 0.21–0.75; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

High levels of parenting stress was a risk indicator for caries while high fatalism was protective from caries in mothers of children younger than 6-years. Maternal education, income and decision-making ability were not associated with maternal caries. Though the caries prevalence for women with young children was low, the prevalence of severe caries was high and this because of the possible negative effect on their health and wellbeing.

Prevalence and caries-related risk factors in schoolchildren of 12- and 15-year-old: a cross-sectional study

Background

To assess the prevalence and severity of caries in 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren, and to analyse the related risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study on a random sample of 1843 schoolchildren aged 12 and 15 from Galicia (northwest of Spain). Self-administered questionnaire and dental clinical examination were performed to obtain information about oral health habits, dental caries and oral hygiene. A logistic regression model including dental-caries-related variables was generated for each age group.

Results

The respective findings for 12- and 15-years-old were as follows: decayed, missing, filled teeth index both for permanent and temporary dentition (DMFT/dmft) of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.87–0.91) and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.33–1.43), respectively; caries prevalence 39.6% (95% CI, 36.3–42.9) and 51.7% (95% CI, 48.0–55.4), respectively. In the 12-year-old group, individuals who occasionally, never or hardly ever brushed their teeth had higher values of caries (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.07–3.15, and OR = 9.14, 95% CI1.63–51.17, respectively). Also, the presence of plaque on more than 1/3 gingival was statistically associated with an increase of caries (OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.11–3.70), and living in a rural environment was a risk factor (OR = 1.3; 95% CI,1.02–1.80). In the 15-year-old group, higher caries risk was found when brushing was performed once a day (OR = 1.61; 95% CI,1.03–2.50), and among individuals who visited private clinics (OR = 1.77; 95% CI, 1.17–2.66), while electric toothbrush was associated with a lower caries risk (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.29–0.86).

Conclusions

This study revealed that risk factors of dental caries showed differences in schoolchildren of 12- and 15-year-old. Strongest evidence related to caries in 12-year-old group were found in frequency of toothbrushing and dental plaque. In 15-year old group, electric toothbrush, time since the last visit to the dentist and type of dental care (public/private) had a stronger association with dental caries. Caries prevalence and mean DMFT/dmft increased from 12- to 15-year-old, in spite of improvement in oral hygiene at the age of 15.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12903-019-0806-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk Score to Predict Dental Caries in Adult Patients for Use in the Clinical Setting

BACKGROUND

There is a need for risk prediction tools in caries research. This investigation aimed to estimate and evaluate a risk score for prediction of dental caries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-cohort study included a random sample of 177 cases (with dental caries) and 220 controls (randomly sampled from the study population at baseline), followed for 3 years. The risk ratio (RR) for each potential predictor was estimated using a logistic regression model. The level of significance was 5%.

RESULTS

The risk model for dental caries included the predictors: "presence of bacterial plaque/calculus" (RR = 4.1), "restorations with more than 5 years" (RR = 2.3), ">8 teeth restored" (RR = 2.0), "history/active periodontitis" (RR = 1.7) and "presence of systemic condition" (RR = 1.4). The risk model discrimination (95% confidence interval) was 0.78 (0.73; 0.82) (p < 0.001, C-statistic). Patients were distributed into three risk groups based on the pre-analysis risk (54%): low risk (

CONCLUSIONS

The present study estimated a simple risk score for prediction of dental caries retrieved from a risk algorithm with good discrimination.

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Key Words

• caries
• epidemiology
• risk
• tooth

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MESH Headings Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

Miguel de Araújo Nobre Research and Development Department, Maló Clinic, 1600-042 Lisbon, Portugal.
Ana Sezinando Dentistry Department, Maló Clinic, 4100-130 Porto, Portugal.
Inês Fernandes Dentistry Department, Maló Clinic, 1600-042 Lisbon, Portugal.
Paulo Maló Clinical Director, Maló Clinic, 1600-042 Lisbon, Portugal.

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Longitudinal associations between dental caries increment and risk factors in late childhood and adolescence

OBJECTIVES

To assess longitudinal associations between permanent tooth caries increment and both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, using best subsets model selection.

METHODS

The Iowa Fluoride Study has followed a birth cohort with standardized caries exams without radiographs of the permanent dentition conducted at about ages 9, 13, and 17 years. Questionnaires were sent semi-annually to assess fluoride exposures and intakes, select food and beverage intakes, and tooth brushing frequency. Exposure variables were averaged over ages 7-9, 11-13, and 15-17, reflecting exposure 2 years prior to the caries exam. Longitudinal models were used to relate period-specific averaged exposures and demographic variables to adjusted decayed and filled surface increments (ADJCI) (n = 392). The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to assess optimal explanatory variable combinations.

RESULTS

From birth to age 9, 9-13, and 13-17 years, 24, 30, and 55 percent of subjects had positive permanent ADJCI, respectively. Ten models had AIC values within two units of the lowest AIC model and were deemed optimal based on AIC. Younger age, being male, higher mother's education, and higher brushing frequency were associated with lower caries increment in all 10 models, while milk intake was included in 3 of 10 models. Higher milk intakes were slightly associated with lower ADJCI.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of brushing frequency, modifiable risk factors under study were not significantly associated with ADJCI. When possible, researchers should consider presenting multiple models if fit criteria cannot discern among a group of optimal models.

Geriatric periodontology: how the need to care for the aging population can influence the future of the dental profession

The world's population is aging, and it has been estimated that by 2050, the number of people 65 years of age and older will reach 1.5 billion. The aging population will be affected by noncommunicable chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. This important demographic shift includes a reduction in tooth loss/edentulism, particularly in older adults of the developed countries in North America, western Europe and north-east Asia. Therefore, in the future, dental providers will be required to care for an expanded number of older adults who have retained teeth and are medically complex. As the linkage of oral disease and systemic disease has focused on the relationship of periodontitis and noncommunicable chronic diseases, a broad review of 'geriatric periodontology' is both timely and important. This volume of Periodontology 2000 covers a range of subjects under this heading. Included are the demographics of an aging world; the effect of aging on stem cell function in the periodontium; the periodontal microbiota associated with aging; the host response in the periodontium of aging individuals; an analysis of the prevalence of periodontitis in the USA on a national, state-wide and community basis; differentiation of physiologic oral aging from disease; treatment of periodontal disease in older adults; implant therapy for older patients; oral disease and the frailty syndrome; the relationship of tooth loss to longevity and life expectancy; and the relationship of periodontal disease to noncommunicable chronic diseases. Although 'geriatric dentistry' is not a recognized specialty in dentistry, and 'geriatric periodontology' is a descriptive title, the subject of this volume of Periodontology 2000 is critical to the future of clinical dentistry, dental public health and dental research. Any comprehensive focus on older patients can only be accomplished with an emphasis on interprofessional education and practice. If embraced, this shift will allow the dental profession to be more closely aligned with the larger health-care environment, and can improve both oral health and health outcomes for patients seen in the dental office.

Permanent caries experience is associated with primary caries experience: a 7-year longitudinal study in China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between caries experience in primary teeth and caries experience in permanent teeth in a longitudinal study.

METHODS

Teeth were examined at 5 years of age and a follow-up examination was conducted 7 years later at 12 years of age in all children from Jiading District, Shanghai, China. A total of 1885 participants were recruited in the study; 1683 students were followed up and 202 students (10.7%) were lost to follow up. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t-test and risk ratio.

RESULTS

The followed-up samples comprised 883 boys (52.5%) and 800 girls (47.5%). At initial examination, the prevalence of dental caries was 67.4% in boys and 66.5% in girls (χ² = 0.2, P = 0.70), with mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) scores of 3.5 ± 0.1 and 3.4 ± 0.1, respectively (t = 0.1, P = 0.90). At follow-up, the prevalence of dental caries was 33.9% in boys and 37.9% in girls (χ² = 2.9, P = 0.11), with mean DMFT scores in permanent teeth of 0.7 ± 0.0 and 0.8 ± 0.1, respectively (t = 1.2, P = 0.24). The group of 5-year-olds with caries had a significantly higher prevalence of caries in permanent teeth (45.5%) at 12 years of age than the group of 5-year-olds without caries (16.0%) (χ² = 141.1, P < 0.001, risk ratio = 1.5). Caries risk in permanent teeth was significantly higher with greater dmft scores (χ² for trend = 31.1, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Caries in primary teeth is a major risk factor for caries in permanent teeth. The likelihood of caries in permanent teeth is higher with greater dmft scores in primary teeth.

Hyposalivation and Xerostomia: Etiology, Complications, and Medical Management

Saliva is one of the most versatile, multifunctional substances produced by the body and has a critical role in the preservation of the oropharyngeal health. It comprises a serous and mucinous component and is secreted by the major salivary glands. The mucins in the saliva serve to protect and lubricate the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, protecting them from chemical and mechanical damage. Hyposalivation can be managed by various salivary substitutes, peripheral sialagogues, and central sialagogues.

Association between dental fear and oral health habits and treatment need among University students in Finland: a national study

BACKGROUND

First-year university students are in a new, independent life situation, which may affect health behaviour, including oral health habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dental fear and oral health habits, while considering the simultaneous effects of attitude toward food and treatment need at dental check-ups.

METHODS

The data (n = 8514) for this national cross-sectional study were collected from health registers of Finnish Student Health Service. As part of health examination all first-year university students in Finland were sent an electronic questionnaire asking about general, psychological and oral health, and health habits. Dental fear was measured by the question: "How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?" (reply alternatives: "Not at all", "Somewhat" and "Very"). Chi-square tests and Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associations between dental fear and oral health habits (tooth brushing, tobacco use, frequency of eating and drinking, eating habits and interval between dental check-ups) as well as attitude to food and treatment need at dental check-ups while controlling for age, gender, general mood and feelings in social situations.

RESULTS

Of the oral health habits, tooth brushing and tobacco use were associated with dental fear. Those who brushed their teeth once a day or less often or used tobacco regularly were more likely to have high dental fear than those who brushed their teeth twice a day or more often or used tobacco occasionally or not at all. Students who reported not having a normal attitude to food were more likely to have high dental fear than were those reporting normal attitude to food, but the frequency of eating and drinking was not associated with dental fear. Students who reported needing treatment frequently or at every dental check-up were more likely to have high dental fear than those who reported rarely or never needing treatment.

CONCLUSION

Those students with high dental fear seem to be at risk of having poor oral health habits and abnormal attitude to food, which may increase the risk of deterioration of oral health and the need for treatment. Dental teams should make efforts in helping fearful patients to find motivation for good oral health habits.