National oral health survey Zimbabwe 1995: dental caries situation

Child dental neglect and legal protections: a compendium of briefs from policy reviews in 26 countries and a special administrative region of China

Background

Child neglect is a public health, human rights, and social problem, with potentially devastating and costly consequences. The aim of this study was to: (1) summarize the oral health profile of children across the globe; (2) provide a brief overview of legal instruments that can offer children protection from dental neglect; and (3) discuss the effectiveness of these legal instruments.

Methods

We summarized and highlighted the caries profile and status of implementation of legislation on child dental neglect for 26 countries representing the World Health Organization regions: five countries in Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe), eight in the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Unites States of America, Uruguay), six in the Eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Iran, Libya, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), four in Europe (Italy, Latvia, Serbia, United Kingdom), two in South-East Asia (India and Indonesia) and one country (China) with its special administrative region (Hong Kong) in the Western Pacific.

Results

Twenty-five of the 26 countries have legal instruments to address child neglect. Only two (8.0%) of these 25 countries had specific legal instruments on child dental neglect. Although child neglect laws can be interpreted to establish a case of child dental neglect, the latter may be difficult to establish in countries where governments have not addressed barriers that limit children's access to oral healthcare. Where there are specific legal instruments to address child dental neglect, a supportive social ecosystem has also been built to facilitate children's access to oral healthcare. A supportive legal environment, however, does not seem to confer extra protection against risks for untreated dental caries.

Conclusions

The institution of specific country-level legislation on child dental neglect may not significantly reduce the national prevalence of untreated caries in children. It, however, increases the prospect for building a social ecosystem that may reduce the risk of untreated caries at the individual level. Social ecosystems to mitigate child dental neglect can be built when there is specific legislation against child dental neglect. It may be more effective to combine public health and human rights-based approaches, inclusive of an efficient criminal justice system to deal with child dental neglect.

Prevalence of Dental Caries among Different Socioeconomic Status and their Treatment Needs among 5-15-year-old School-going Children in Maduravoyal Area, Chennai

Dental cariology is a discipline with history as long as that of human civilization. It has seen numerous growth and decline phases from the epidemiological perspective. Nevertheless, despite huge amounts of funds being allotted by various international agencies to estimate the prevalence and assess the treatment needs, there always exists a gap between collected data and actual scenarios due to the in-availability of feasible approaches to include all people as samples and assess the statistics, especially the rural population of developing countries. To solve this issue, investigators from various geographic denominations should come forward to present the situation in their dominion. This paper is a report on the prevalence of dental caries in school-going children aged 5-15 years, belonging to various socioeconomic strata. These results have testified to the positive correlation between increased westernization and the prevalence of dental caries. It is also seen that lower economic strata have more predilection for a healthier diet and resultant low prevalence in dental caries. Thus, this study has thrown valuable light on epidemiological aspects of dental caries in Maduravoyal, Chennai-based rural population, which can be used for various planning activities. How to cite this article: Amudha S, Moses J, Vijayakumar M, e t al. Prevalence of Dental Caries among Different Socioeconomic Status and their Treatment Needs among 5-15-year-old School-going Children in Maduravoyal Area, Chennai. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):403-411.

Dental caries in a South African adult population: findings from the Cape Town Vascular and Metabolic Health Study

OBJECTIVES

Caries is a ubiquitous non-communicable disease worldwide. There is a paucity of literature on adult caries in Africa, with the last epidemiological caries study in South Africa conducted in 1988/1989. This article reports on the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) scores in relation to demographic characteristics for a mixed-ancestry South African population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional epidemiological study was part of the ongoing Cape Town Bellville South Vascular and Metabolic Health Study. Each participant signed an informed consent form prior to enrolling in the study. During a clinical examination, DMFT score and components were recorded for each participant. Data analysis was performed with the statistical Package STATA 15.

RESULTS

A sample of 1,885 participants was included in the study. Sixty-eight percent of the population experienced high DMFT scores. Mean DMFT score increased with age from 5 (≤ 24-year-old group) to 32 (≥ 75-year-old group, P < 0.001). It was higher in women than in men (28.5 vs. 18, respectively, P < 0.001). The missing component contributed 83% to DMFT score, followed by decayed (14%) and filled (3%) scores. Males had a higher average number of teeth present than females (18 vs. 6.5, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental caries experience was very high, with high levels of tooth loss in this community. These findings highlight limited access to preventive oral healthcare and a high rate of tooth extraction. Females presented higher levels of oral disease than males, indicating the need for preventive oral healthcare programmes in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dental caries and oral health practice among 12 year old school children from low socio-economic status background in Zimbabwe

Introduction

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Previous studies show a higher prevalence of dental caries in children from low socio-economic status backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries among 12 year old children in urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe and establish preliminary baseline data.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 12 year old children at primary schools in Harare and Bikita district. A Pre-tested questionnaire was administered to elicit information from the participants on tooth cleaning, dietary habits and dental experience. Dental caries status was assessed using the DMFT index following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Results

Our results showed a high prevalence of dental caries in both urban (59.5%) and rural (40.8%) children. The mean DMFT in urban and rural areas was 1.29 and 0.66, respectively. Furthermore, our data showed a general lack of knowledge on oral health issues by the participants.

Conclusion

There is high prevalence of dental caries among 12 years old school children in both urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe. This calls for early preventive strategies and treatment services. We recommend incorporation of oral health education in the elementary school curricula.

Oral health behaviour of children and adults in urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Africa

OBJECTIVES

To assess the level of dental knowledge and attitudes among 12 year-old children and 35-44 year-olds in Burkina Faso; to evaluate the pattern of oral health behaviour among these cohorts in relation to location, gender and social characteristics and; to evaluate the relative effect of social-behavioural risk factors on caries experience.

DESIGN

Across sectional study including urban and rural subgroups of population.

SAMPLE AND METHODS

Multistage cluster sampling of households in urban areas; in rural areas random samples of participants were based on the recent population census. The final study population covered two age groups: 12 years (n = 505) and 35-44 years (n = 493).

RESULTS

For both children and adults, levels of oral health knowledge, attitudes and self-care were low; 36% of 12-year-olds and 57% of 35-44-year-olds carried out toothcleaning on a daily basis. Pain and discomfort from teeth were common while dental visits were infrequent. Tooth cleaning was mostly performed by use of chewsticks. Use of toothpaste was rare, particularly fluoridated toothpaste was seldom; 9% of 12-year-olds and 18% of 35-44-year-olds reported use of fluoride toothpaste. Significant differences were found in oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices according to location and gender. At age 12, important factors of high caries experience were location (urban), and consumption of soft drinks and fresh fruits. In 35-44-year-olds, gender (female), high education level, dental visit and occupation (government employee) were the significant factors of high dental caries experience whereas adults using traditional chewing sticks had lower DMFT.

CONCLUSIONS

Health authorities should strengthen the implementation of oral disease prevention and health promotion programmes rather than traditional curative care. Community-oriented essential care and affordable fluoride toothpaste should be encouraged.

Oral health status of children and adults in urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Africa

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the oral health status of children and adults in rural and urban areas of Burkina Faso; to provide epidemiological data for planning and evaluation of oral health care programmes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey including different ethnic and socio-economic groups.

SAMPLE AND METHODS

Multistage cluster sampling of households in urban areas and random samples of participants selected based on the recent population census in rural areas. The final study population covered four age groups: 6 years (n = 424), 12 years (n = 505), 18 years (n = 492) and 35-44 years (n = 493). Clinical oral health data collected according to WHO methodology and criteria.

RESULTS

At age 6, 38% of children had caries, with prevalence higher in urban than rural areas. At age 12, the mean DMFT was 0.7 with prevalence significantly higher among urban than rural children. Mean DMFT was 1.9 in 18-year-olds and 6.3 in 35-44-year-olds and figures were higher for women than men. In adults, no differences in caries experience were found by location whereas the caries index was significantly affected by ethnic group and occupation. CPI score 2 (gingivitis and calculus) was dominant for all ages: 6 years (58%), 12 years (57%), 18 years (58%), 35-44 years (49%). In addition, 10% of 35-44-year-olds had CPI score 4. Rural participants had more severe periodontal scores than did urban individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Health authorities should strengthen the implementation of community-based oral disease prevention and health promotion programmes rather than traditional curative care.

Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth

BACKGROUND

Dental decay in primary teeth remains a considerable health problem. Where decay extends to involve the dental pulp, pulp treatment techniques are often used to manage both symptomatic and symptom free teeth.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relative effectiveness of: various pulp treatment techniques in retaining primary molar teeth with decay involving the pulp for at least 12 months; pulp treatment techniques and extractions in avoiding long term sequelae.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (August 2002); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2002); MEDLINE (January 1966 to August 2002); EMBASE (1980 to August 2002); Science Citation Index Expanded (1981 to August 2002); Social Science Citation Index (1981 to August 2002); Index to Scientific and Technical Proceedings (1982 to August 2002); System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe (August 2002). Key journals were handsearched. There was no restriction on language of publication.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different pulp treatment techniques (with each other, with extraction or with no treatment) for extensive decay in primary molar teeth. Primary outcomes were extractions following pulp treatment and long term effects.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out independently and in duplicate. Authors were contacted for additional information where necessary.

MAIN RESULTS

Eighty-two studies were identified but only three were suitable for inclusion. Nine studies meeting the inclusion criteria but with inappropriate study design or analysis are also described. Included trials investigated formocresol pulpotomy, ferric sulphate pulpotomy, electrosurgical pulpotomy or zinc oxide eugenol pulpectomy in symptom free, cariously exposed teeth. Data were unavailable on long term effects. Data on extraction following pulp treatment was available in all three studies and in two studies there was no statistically significant difference between the treatments. The difference seen in the other study, where more teeth treated by ferric sulphate pulpotomy were extracted compared to zinc oxide eugenol pulpectomy, must be viewed with caution.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Based on the available RCTs, there is no reliable evidence supporting the superiority of one type of treatment for pulpally involved primary molars. No conclusions can be made as to the optimum treatment or techniques for pulpally involved primary molar teeth due to the scarcity of reliable scientific research. High quality RCTs, with appropriate unit of randomisation and analysis are needed.

Dental caries prevalence, tooth brushing and periodontal status in 150 young people in Istanbul: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate periodontal conditions, prevalence and determination of dental caries and oral health behaviours in a group of young people in Istanbul.

DESIGN

Subjects were orally examined and questioned.

SETTING

A high school in Istanbul.

SUBJECTS

One hundred of fifty students.

RESULTS

This study showed that 28 per cent of teenagers had adequate oral hygiene. These findings suggest that 72 per cent of the subjects needed oral hygiene education and required restorative dental care.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that dental treatment need is very high in the sample group. Strong co-operation should be set up between families, schools, communities, regulators and legislators in order to develop and implement comprehensive oral health promotion programmes.

National oral health survey Zimbabwe 1995: periodontal conditions

Ten years after completion of the first national oral health survey, a second national oral health survey was carried out in 1995. Application of a multi-stage sampling procedure resulted in 3,709 persons being examined. WHO's oral health assessment form and CPITN index was used. The background variables studied were age (15-19, and 35-44-year olds), gender, type of location, socio-economic status and level of education. Results suggest that the periodontal health of adolescents was better in 1985 than in 1995. Overall, the prevalence of periodontal conditions in both age groups was high but its severity was low. The need for complex periodontal treatment was only 4 per cent for adults. The survey has shown that the vast majority of Zimbabweans are not receiving and/or are not seeking periodontal care.