Predictors of dental caries among children 7-14 years old in Northwest Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

Oral Health Survey in Burundi; Evaluation of the Caries Experience in Schoolchildren Using the DMFT Index

Background and objectives: There are no data on oral health in the population of Burundi. This study aimed to describe the oral health status of schoolchildren in Burundi using the dmft/DMFT index for the first time. Materials and methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological survey. The survey was designed according to the WHO methodology for oral health surveys. Oral examinations were conducted in school rooms using a dental mirror, probe, and headlight. The following characteristics of primary dentition status were recorded: decayed (d/D), missing (m/M), and filled (f/F) teeth, and the dmft/DMFT (d + m + f t/D + M + F T) index was calculated for each subject. Quantitative and qualitative variables were represented by measures of position and variability. One-way ANOVA was used to assess differences between parametric variables. Logistic regression was performed for total caries experience and gender, age groups, living area, and geographical provinces. Results: A total of 1902 children were examined, 1007 (52.94%) six-year-olds and 895 (47.06%) in the older group. The dmft/DMFT and subgroups were statistically significantly different in terms of age groups, living areas, and geographical regions (dmft/DMFT d-subgroup and D-subgroup p < 0.01), but only for DMFT for sex. The ORs estimated by logistic regression by total caries experience showed a protective effect for 12 year old subjects and those living in southern provinces, an OR of 0.52 (95%CI 0.43-0.64) and an OR of 0.26 (95%CI 0.21-0.32), respectively. Conclusions: Dental caries in African countries, including Burundi, remains a major problem affecting the general health and wellbeing of the population. Tackling untreated caries requires a multifaceted approach, including strengthening oral health infrastructure, promoting oral health education, providing affordable dental services, and encouraging healthier eating habits.

Prevalence of dental caries and relation with nutritional status among school-age children in resource limited setting of southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Globally, dental caries appears a major public health problem and a widespread non -communicable disease. It is more prevalent among children school-age children (6-12 years), However, there are few studies that correlate dental caries with nutritional status. Thus, this study aims to determine the relation of dental caries with nutritional status among school-age children at resource limited setting of southern Ethiopia.

METHODOLOGY

A community-based cross sectional study was employed on randomly selected 761 school-age children of Areka town. Data were collected by face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical assessment of dental caries. After that, the collected data were entered into Epi data 3.2.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for further analysis. On the other hand, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association of dependent and independent variables. p Value < 0.05 was considered to declare a result as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Prevalence of dental caries among school-age children was 15.6%  (95% CI 13.0-18.5). In technical senses, 4.3% (95% CI 2.9-5.8%) of children were underweight and 14.2% (95% CI 11.7-16.6%) were overweight. However, it has been unfolded that the relationship between dental caries and nutritional status was not statistically significant with a p value (p = 0.32). Factors associated with dental caries were educational status of a mother AOR 3.14, (95% CI 1.03-9.56), not cleaning teeth AOR 7.70, (95% CI 4.00-14.85), sugared coffee drinking AOR 3.22, (95% CI 1.68-6.18.0), sweet food consumption AOR 4.19, (95% CI 1.76-9.96) and non-consuming milk AOR 5.66 ( 95% CI 1.49-21.49).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Dental caries at south Ethiopia were low compared to WHO's reports on oral health on school-age children. Tooth cleaning habit, parental education, sweet food consumption and milk consumption are associated factors. Therefore, behavioral intervention on dental hygiene and dietary practices are mandatory for school-age children.

Predictors of low dental service utilization among school children in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dental service utilization is important for maintaining and enhancing children's oral health status. However, there is paucity of information regarding dental service utilization and factors affecting it among school aged children in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the dental service utilization and associated factors among school aged children (6-15) years in Mekelle city, Northern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mekelle city of Northern Ethiopia from January 2016 to June 2016. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 405 school children. A modified World Health Organization oral health assessment form for children was used to collect data. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions with 95% CI were used to test the association between past-year dental service utilization, as an outcome variable, and parental socio-demographic, and child characteristics as independent variables.

RESULTS

A total of 398 school children participated in the study. The overall dental service utilization among these children was (10.6%), 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (7.5%, 13.6%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, maternal educational status (illiterate versus college and above (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.13, 95% CI 0.01, 0.93)), higher monthly income (AOR 11.69, 95% CI 1.19, 114.61)), and having dental pain (AOR 50.8, 95% CI 17.8, 145.17)) were significantly associated with past year dental service utilization.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that a small proportion of the study population visited a dentist in the past year. Maternal educational status, monthly income, and dental pain were associated with past year dental service utilization. Oral health education programs focusing on dental service utilization targeting school children are crucial.

The prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among students living with disability in the Amhara region, Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES

People living with disability are more vulnerable to dental caries and have a high decayed, missed, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index and untreated dental disease than nondisabled individuals. In Ethiopia, there is a dearth of information on the oral health status of the disabled population. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and its predictors among special needs school students in the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was done on special needs school students in the Amhara region from November 2020 to April 2021. The study participants were recruited using a simple random sampling technique using a computer random generator. Data collection was done using the World Health Organization oral health survey tool. Data entry was done using Epi-data 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS 26. A logistic regression model was used to identify the possible predictors of dental caries.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-three students with a mean age of 15.8 ± 3.8 were included in the study. The prevalence of dental caries was 41.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 36.3, 46.0) in permanent dentition with a mean DMFT score of 1.3 ± 1.6. The prevalence of dental caries in primary dentition was 23.1% (95% CI: 11.9, 32.1) with a mean decayed, missed, and filled primary teeth (dmft) score of 1.9 ± 0.2. Being 7-12 years old (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.6, 8.3), lower grade level (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI:1.3,4.4), poor oral hygiene status (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.8), and lack of parental support during tooth brushing (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.1) were independent predictors of dental caries.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant amount of special needs school students in the study area had dental caries. Age, grade level, oral hygiene status, and lack of parent support during tooth brushing were independent predictors of dental caries.

Individual, Family, and Socioeconomic Contributors to Dental Caries in Children from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Introduction: Collective evidence on risk factors for dental caries remains elusive in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on risk factors for dental caries in deciduous or permanent teeth in LMICs. Methods: Studies were identified electronically through databases, including Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed/MEDLINE, and CINAHL, using “prevalence, dental caries, child, family, socioeconomic, and LMIC” as the keywords. A total of 11 studies fit the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The MedCalc software and Review Manager 5.4.1 were used. Results: From 11,115 participants, 38.7% (95% CI: 28.4−49.5%) had caries and 49.68% were female. Among those with caries, 69.74% consumed sugary drinks/sweets (95% CI: 47.84−87.73%) and 56.87% (95% CI: 35.39−77.08%) had good brushing habits. Sugary drinks had a two times higher likelihood of leading to caries (OR: 2.04, p < 0.001). Good oral hygiene reduced the risk of caries by 35% (OR: 0.65, p < 0.001). Concerning maternal education, only secondary education reduced the likelihood of caries (OR: 0.96), but primary education incurred 25% higher risks (OR: 1.25, p = 0.03). A 65% reduction was computed when caregivers helped children with tooth brushing (OR: 0.35, p = 0.04). Most families had a low socioeconomic status (SES) (35.9%, 95% CI: 16.73−57.79), which increased the odds of caries by 52% (OR: 1.52, p < 0.001); a high SES had a 3% higher chance of caries. In the entire sample, 44.44% (95% CI: 27.73−61.82%) of individuals had access to dental services or had visited a dental service provider. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that high sugar consumption, low maternal education, and low and high socioeconomic status (SES) increased the risk of dental caries in LMICs. Good brushing habits, higher maternal education, help with tooth brushing, and middle SES provided protection against caries across LMIC children. Limiting sugars, improving oral health education, incorporating national fluoride exposure programs, and accounting for sociodemographic limitations are essential for reducing the prevalence of dental caries in these settings.

Mothers’ health care-seeking behavior and associated factors for common childhood illnesses in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

This review is aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of mothers’ health care-seeking behavior and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods:

International databases were systematically searched for studies that were published between 2008 and 2019. Data were extracted in Microsoft Excel 2019 and then exported to STATA version 14 for further analysis. Publication bias was determined by funnel plot, Begg’s test, and Egger’s test. Heterogeneity between the studies was checked by I2 statistic. The pooled proportion was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis model.

Results:

This review and meta-analysis included 14 studies from a total of 581 papers that were screened. The pooled proportion of mothers’ health care-seeking behavior in Ethiopia was 50.24% (95% CI: 37.13%, 63.35%). Health facility distance (OR = 2.07), awareness about common childhood illnesses (OR = 2.06), educational levels (OR = 1.82), and income (OR = 2.07) were significantly associated variables.

Conclusion:

The overall health care-seeking behavior of mothers for common childhood illnesses in Ethiopia is low. Accordingly, educating mothers/caregivers about the importance of health care-seeking behavior and increasing the proximity of health facilities were recommended to improve health care-seeking behavior.

Dental caries and associated factors among patients visiting Shashamane Comprehensive Specialized Hospital

Introduction

Dental caries is a major public health problem. In Ethiopia, prevention and treatment of oral health-related illness had given little attention and there is limited data on the extent and factors associated with oral health-related illnesses and oral care practices.

Objective

This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among patients visiting Shashamane Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (SCSH).

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 patients who visited SCSH dental clinic from March 1, 2021, to April 15, 2021. A questionnaire was employed to collect the background characteristics of the participants. Dental caries was confirmed as per World Health Organization guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine predictors of dental caries. A p-value less than 0.05 was taken as a cut point to determine a significant association.

Results

The overall prevalence of dental caries was 64.6% with 95% CI (58.8‒70.1). The mean of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth was 1.33. Dental caries was significantly higher among respondents who did not brush their teeth (AOR = 3.589, 95% CI:1.756‒7.334), who consumed sugary food (AOR = 3.650, 95% CI: 1.747‒7.628), those with monthly a income of less than 5000.00 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.452, 95% CI (1.193‒5.042), and those who had poor oral hygiene status (AOR = 1.826, 95% CI: 0.901‒3.700).

Conclusions

This study revealed a high prevalence of dental caries among patients visiting the dental clinic. Tooth brushing habits, consumption of sugary food, and poor oral hygiene were significantly associated with dental caries.

Oral Health Status of Hearing-Impaired Students Attending Special Need Schools in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Oral health care is the most common unmet need among individuals with a disability. Individuals with a disability may have compromised oral health needs due to neglect from parents, socioeconomic problems, and communication barriers. In Ethiopia, there is a lack of data on oral health status of the hearing-impaired population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the oral health status of hearing-impaired students in the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021 on hearing-impaired students in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Data were collected using a pretested interview administered questionnaire and clinical examination. Oral cavity was evaluated using the simplified oral hygiene index, decayed, missed and filled teeth, and community periodontal index. Data analysis was done using SPSS 26.0, and logistic regression analysis was done to identify the risk factors of dental caries and periodontal disease.

Results

A total of 149 hearing impaired students with an age range of 7–30 years were involved in the study. The prevalence of periodontal disease and dental caries was 22.8% (95% CI: 16.8, 30.4) and 38.9% (95% CI; 32.2, 46.9), respectively. Being grade 1–4 student (AOR = 3.94, 95%: 1.16, 13.38), lack of formal education (AOR = 4.98, 95% CI: 1.00, 24.65), dental caries (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.08) and bleeding on probing (AOR = 9.98, 95% CI: 3.69, 26.64) were statistically significant with periodontal disease. Grade level, parents’ support during brushing, oral health status, and medication intake were independent factors for dental caries.

Conclusion

In the present study, a significant number of hearing-impaired students had periodontal disease and dental caries. School oral health programs and caregivers assisted oral hygiene practices are essential to combat oral health problems in hearing-impaired students. Moreover, a nationwide prospective study with a large sample size will be required to reflect the oral health status of hearing-impaired individuals in the country.

Determinants of dental caries among adolescent patients attending Hospitals in West Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is a prevalent disease in both developed and developing countries and is a public health problem among adolescents. This study aimed to assess the determinants of dental caries among adolescent patients in the west Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia.

METHODS

A hospital-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted in West Wollega Zone, West Ethiopia. A total of 133 cases and 266 controls participated in this study. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires from three hospitals. Epi-info version 7 was used for data entry and was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Frequency, proportion, mean and standard deviation were computed to summarize the data. Statistics are presented using tables and bar graphs. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of dental caries at P < 0.05. The adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to show the strength of association between the predictors and dental caries.

RESULTS

A total of 399 adolescents were enrolled in this study, yielding a response rate of 100%. The study found that, daily consumption of sugared coffee (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI:1.62, 5.23), khat chewing (AOR = 2.90, 95%CI: 1.46, 3.15), daily consumption of bread (AOR = 2.65, 95%CI: 1.44, 4.89), daily consumption of sweet foods (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI:1.19, 3.48), living in urban areas (AOR = 1.86, 95%CI:1.09, 3.15), and daily tooth brushing using toothpaste or stick (AOR = 0.48;95%CI, 0.28, 0.81) were significantly associated with dental caries among adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In this study, drinking sugared coffee, daily consumption of bread, khat chewing, sugary food consumption, living in urban areas, and daily tooth brushing using toothpaste were significantly associated with dental caries. Therefore, improving dietary and drinking habits and strengthening regular tooth brushing are important for reducing dental caries among adolescents.

Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Dental caries affects mastication, growth and development, and school attendance and has a long-term psychological effect on affected individuals. In developing countries, the prevalence of dental caries is increasing due to the growing consumption of sugary foods, poor tooth brushing habits, and a low level of awareness about dental caries. Even if there was a high prevalence of dental caries in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a paucity of data on the prevalence of dental caries in East Africa. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors in East Africa. Methods: A systematic search of articles was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar using all the synonyms of dental caries in published literature (until December 2020) in East Africa. Important data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form prepared in Excel. Stata software (version 14.0) was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of dental caries. Besides, subgroup analysis was done based on country and dentition type. Moreover, associated factors of dental caries were assessed and the overall effect was presented in the form of odds ratios. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute reviewers' manual. Results: The overall pooled prevalence of dental caries was found to be 45.7% (95% CI = 38.0-53.4). The pooled prevalence was high in Eritrea (65.2%, 95% CI = 49.2-81.1), followed by Sudan (57.8%, 95% CI = 36.0-79.7), and a low prevalence was found in Tanzania (30.7%, 95% CI = 21.5-39.9). Moreover, the subgroup analysis revealed a prevalence of 50% (95% CI = 38.4-62.1) in permanent dentition and 41.3% (95% CI = 33.5-49.2) in mixed dentition. The overall mean decayed, missed, and filled permanent (DMFT) and primary (dmft) teeth were 1.941 (95% CI = 1.561-2.322) and 2.237 (95% CI = 1.293-3.181), respectively. High DMFT scores were reported in Sudan (3.146, 95% CI = 1.050-5.242) and Uganda (2.876, 95% CI = 2.186-3.565). Being female (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.24-1.46) and having poor tooth brushing habit (OR = 1.967, 95% CI = 1.67-2.33) were independent risk factors of dental caries. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of dental caries was comparatively high. Being female and poor oral health practice were independent risk factors of dental caries. The Ministry of Health of the member countries, along with dental associations of each country, ought to offer due attention to strengthen the oral health program in schools and primary health care centers and the implementation of school water fluoridation.

Determinants of intention to improve oral hygiene behavior among students based on the theory of planned behavior: A structural equation modelling analysis

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of oral hygiene behaviors (OHB) is very low among school children in Ethiopia. However, the determinants of student's readiness/intention to perform those behaviors have been remained unstudied.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the determinants of oral hygiene behavioral intention (OHBI) among preparatory school students based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 students. A 98-item self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate oral hygiene knowledge (OHK), oral hygiene behavior (OHB), and OHBI based on TPB variables [attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC)]. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling analysis (SEM) were employed to confirm relationships and associations among study variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval were used to declare statistical significance.

RESULTS

A total of 393 students were participated with a response rate of 97.5%. The mean age of the participants (54% females) was 18 (± 1.3) with an age range of 16 to 24. The TPB model was well fitted to the data and explained 66% of the variance in intention. ATT (β = 0.38; 95% CI, (0.21, 0.64)), SN (β = 0.33; 95% CI, (0.05, 0.83)) and PBC (β = 0.29; 95% CI, (0.13, 0.64)) were significant predictors of OHBI, where ATT was the strongest predictor of OHBI.

CONCLUSION

The TPB model explained a large variance in the intention of students to improve their OHB. All TPB variables were significantly and positively linked to stronger intent, as the theory suggests. Furthermore, these results suggest that the model could provide a framework for oral hygiene promotion interventions in the study area. Indeed, these interventions should focus on changing the attitudes of students towards OHB, creation of positive social pressure, and enabling students to control over OHB barriers.

Dental caries and associated factors in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Globally, dental caries may be a major public health issue which may be preventable. Many studies have been conducted on dental caries in Ethiopia which present inconsistent results.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis was expected to consolidate the findings conducted in various regions of the country and generate country representative information on the burden and its associated factors of dental caries in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Our systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Medical specialty databases like ScienceDirect, HINARI, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were consistently and exhaustively searched. To determine the aggregate prevalence, studies delineating the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors were included. Important data were extracted employing a standardized data extraction tool ready in Microsoft Excel and imported to the STATA version-13 statistical software package for analyses. To assess non-uniformity, the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test were performed respectively. A random effects model meta-analysis was accustomed to estimate the pooled burden of dental caries.

RESULTS

The result of thirteen studies disclosed that the overall prevalence of dental caries in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was found to be 40.98 (31.62, 50.34). Within the subgroup analysis, the uppermost prevalence was determined in Tigray region (46.59% (24.64, 68.54)) whereas the bottom prevalence was determined in Addis Ababa (34.20% (8.42, 59.97)). Dental caries prevalence was considerably high among study subjects who consumed sweet food (OR= 2.4 (95% CI (1.91, 3.01))). But the presence of dental plaque (OR = 5.14 (95% CI (0.67, 39.39))) and habit of tooth- cleaning (OR = 0.71 (95% CI (0.17, 2.96))) were not statistically significant with the outcome of interest.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis found that the prevalence of dental caries was comparatively high, and sweet food consumption was the most risk issue for dental caries in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health ought to offer a lot of attention to strengthen the oral health care system and also the implementation of community-level interference programs.

Dental caries experience and associated factors in adults: a cross-sectional community survey within Ethiopia

Background

Ethiopia is a developing sub-Saharan African country with increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including oral conditions. Oral health and dental care have been given little consideration, and there is limited information relating to population oral health and use of dental services in the country. The aim of this study was to examine the burden and associated factors of dental caries experience and investigate access to dental care amongst adults within Ethiopia.

Methods

This community-based oral health survey is a baseline study for the ASSET - Health System Strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa project undertaken in the Butajira area, south-central Ethiopia. A stratified random sample of households and individuals participated in the study. The survey instruments were mainly based on the WHO Oral Health Survey Methods manual (5^th ed.). Face-to-face interviews and clinical dental examinations were conducted. The data were analysed for descriptive statistics; and Poisson regression models were built to assess the association of dental caries and predictor variables in adults (≥18 years).

Results

Most of the study population (n = 626) were female (63.9%), married (71.4%) and Muslim (76.0%). Just over half (53.2%) lived in rural areas and many (44.4%) had no formal education. A majority (74.0%) reported never utilising dental care services, and the main reason was never experiencing any dental problem (71.3%). Sixty percent (n = 377) of the adults had experienced dental caries, 88.0% (n = 332) of whom had untreated carious teeth. Pain or discomfort was reported by 16.5, and 7.2% had one or more PUFA component. Most (59.9%) adults with dental caries experience reported tooth pain or discomfort during the last year. In the fully adjusted Poisson regression model, increasing age, dental care utilisation and Khat chewing had positive significant associations with dental caries experience, whilst education status was negatively associated (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a high burden of dental caries and considerable consequences resulting from untreated disease in this population of adults. There was evidence of social inequity, limited utilisation of dental care and oral health awareness. This highlights the need for oral health system strengthening focusing on health promotion and expanding overall access to care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10199-9.

Investigating the Level of Knowledge of the Community about Oral and Dental Health

Objectives  This study aimed to determine the knowledge and approaches of the participants about oral and dental health.

Materials and Methods  This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey. Participants’ demographic characteristics, tooth brushing habits, selection of toothpaste, and reasons for visiting the dentist were examined in this study. Participants’ knowledge levels of fluoride and their attitudes toward the most common fluoride applications among preventive treatments were also evaluated. Data entry and analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software. Descriptive and inferential statistics and chi-square test were used for analyzes.

Results  A total of 2,744 voluntary participants including 1,938 (70.6%) females and 806 (29.4%) males responded; 1,391 (50.7%) participants know the contents of their toothpaste; 1,680 (61.2%) participants point out that fluoride is effective in preventing dental caries. Female participants reported a statistically significant difference in their knowledge of what is fluoride when compared with male participants ( p = 0.0001). The knowledge level of participants who had higher levels of education were statistically significantly different when compared with the participants who had lower education levels about fluoride and fluoride applications ( p = 0.0001).

Conclusions  The results of this study indicate that participants’ attitudes toward oral health and dental care need to be improved.

Magnitude of Dental Caries and Its Associated Factors Among Governmental Primary School Children in Debre Berhan Town, North-East Ethiopia

Background

In Ethiopia, oral health prevention and treatment have gotten low attention in the government, and the existing dental services are privately owned and thus expensive. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among governmental primary school children in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia, 2019.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 30 to February 14/2019. A total of 417 primary school children were selected using computer-generated simple random sampling and interviewed using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data were coded, entered, and cleaned using Epi-data version 3.1 and export to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to test the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant association. Finally, the result of this study was present by text, tables, and graphs.

Results

Out of the 396 study participants, 135 (34.1%) had dental caries. Of these, more than half, 95 (59.37%) had the pre-molar decayed. Two hundred eighty-five (72.0%) of them were cleaned their teeth. The Independent predictors of dental caries were drinking sugared tea [AOR= 2.034, 95% CI: (1.223–3.385)] and food particle on their teeth [AOR= 6.709, 95% CI: (3.475–12.954)], which had shown a significant association with dental caries.

Conclusion

The over magnitude of dental caries was relatively high and found to be a public health problem. Drinking sugar tea, presence of food particles, or dental plaque were significantly associated with dental caries. In contrast, merchant occupation reduced the chance of dental caries. Giving health education to minimize drinking sugar tea and cleaning their teeth after consumption of sugar tea should be given attention.

Dental Caries and Associated Factors Among Patients Attending the University of Gondar Comprehensive Hospital Dental Clinic, North West Ethiopia: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

Dental caries are an emerging public health problem in developing countries in the last two decades. However, there is a paucity of data on dental caries in northwest Ethiopia. This study investigated the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors in northwest Ethiopia.

Patients and Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 368 patients who visited the University of Gondar Comprehensive Hospital Dental Clinic. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the samples. Data were collected by three qualified dental surgeons using a pre-designed questionnaire modified from a WHO oral health survey and the clinical examination was done using the WHO dental caries diagnosis guideline. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20. Descriptive data were presented in tables and logistic regression analysis was done to identify the possible predisposing factors using odds ratios with 95% confidence interval.

Results

The prevalence of dental caries in this study was 23.64% (95% CI: 19.30, 28.00) with a significant difference between females (30.56%) and males (17.02%). Being female (AOR=2.15 (95% CI: 1.31, 3.52), poor oral hygiene practice (AOR=2.44 (95% CI: 1.46, 4.07), being diabetic (AOR=8.15 (95% CI: 3.2, 20.75), low educational level (AOR=1.81 (95% CI: 1.05, 3.1), low monthly income (AOR=3.05 (95% CI: 1.54, 6.02) and halitosis (AOR=10.98 (95% CI: 5.68, 2.24) were significantly associated with dental caries. The mean DMFT score was 1.095±0.24 (SD). The majority of the DMFT (70.59%) was due to decay, while filled tooth accounted for only 2.17% of the DMFT. The DMFT score was higher in females (0.625), urban residents (0.85), and those with montly income of ≤2500 Ethiopian birr (0.86). The mean DMFT was 0.13.

Conclusion

The prevalence of dental caries in the study participants was 23.64% andwas higher in males than females and in diabetic patients. Female gender, poor tooth brushing habits, diabetes mellitus, and halitosis were significant predictors associated with dental caries.

Dental Caries and Associated Factors among Primary School Children in Metropolitan City with the Largest Javanese Race Population: A Crosssectional Study

Background:

Dental caries is the most prevalent and chronic oral disease, particularly in childhood age. Dental caries is a progressive infectious process with multifactorial etiology.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among primary school children at Surabaya, as the metropolitan city with the largest Javanese race population in Indonesia.

Materials and Methods:

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Surabaya in August 2017. Cluster random sampling technique was used to select the children. Structured questionnaire by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to interview children and/or parents to collect sociodemographic variables. Clinical dental information was obtained by experienced dentist using dental caries criteria set by the WHO. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were computed to investigate the factors associated with dental caries.

Results:

Of 213 children, 50.4% were boys. Majority (99%) of the children cleaned their teeth using toothbrush. The proportion of children having dental caries was 53%. Decay-Missing-Filled (DMF) score was 1, decayed-extracted-filled (def) score was 1.08, and total DMF and def score were 2.07. Toothbrush usage, soda consumption, and educational level of fathers were the associated factors for dental caries.

Conclusion:

Toothbrush usage, soda consumption, and educational level of fathers were the associated factors for dental caries. Therefore, prevention measures, such as health education on oral hygiene, dietary habits, and importance of dental visit, are obligatory for children.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dental Caries in Primary Schoolchildren: An Iranian Setting

Introduction

Dental caries is the most common oral health disease of school-aged children around the world. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries in primary schoolchildren in Yasuj township, Iran.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 460 children aged 7-12 years were investigated. Dental examination was performed at school according to the World Health Organization criteria. Sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and caries statuses of children's teeth were recorded through a dental chart. Data were analyzed using summary statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression model with odds ratio.

Results

The prevalence of dental caries in primary, permanent, and whole dentition among children was 75.3%, 41.1%, and 89.8%, respectively. Among all considered factors, the caries presence in primary teeth was inversely (p < 0.001) and in permanent teeth was positively (p < 0.001) associated with the children's age. Moreover, the odds of decaying permanent teeth were significantly higher in girls, in rural children, and in children whose fathers were not an employee compared to their counterparts (p=0.04, p < 0.001, and p=0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

The prevalence of dental caries among the studied primary schoolchildren in mixed dentition was high and associated with their sociodemographic factors. Providing and implementing preventive, therapeutic, and informative programs for controlling dental caries at individual, family, and school levels are necessary for local health policymakers.

Analysis of salivary level Lactobacillus spp. and associated factors as determinants of dental caries amongst primary school children in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Lactobacillus spp. play a major role in the development of dental caries. Although effective methods are known for the prevention and management of dental caries, its prevalence of dental caries is increasing amongst school-age children in Ethiopia. Hence, this study is aimed to determine the association of salivary Lactobacillus spp. level and oral health factors as determinants of dental caries amongst primary school children in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst primary school children (n = 407) using a questionnaire survey, clinical DMFT (decayed, missing, filled tooth number) examination and enumeration of salivary level Lactobacillus spp. Data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science software- version 25.0). The odds ratio was used to determine the predictors of the outcome. The data were expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value of less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dental caries was found to be 36.9% amongst primary school children. The mean DMFT value of the participants was 0.95 ± 1.57. The dental decay component was the primary observation that accounted for 84.6% of the DMFT. Almost, 67% of the saliva culture revealed a significant amount of Lactobacillus spp.

COUNT

The mean bacterial count was found to be 14.92 × 10⁵ ± 22.92 × 10⁵. Among various parameters analysed for association with dental caries, a number of them show positive associtation, incluing reduction in academic scores in the prevous academic year (p = 0.034), grade levels of school children 1-4 (p = 0.041), sweet food consumption habit (p = 0.003), absence of daily teeth cleaning habit (p = 0.002), absence of toothpaste use (p = 0.001), dental ache history (p = < 0.001), significant microbial load of salivary Lactobacillus spp. (p = < 0.001), acidic (p = 0.028) and basic salivary pH (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

A significant salivary Lactobacillus count associated with lower grade level, sweet diet, and poor oral hygiene were found to be the determinant factors for dental caries. Thus, dissemination of oral health information is obligatory to prevent dental caries amongst primary school children in the study area.

Interventions with pregnant women, new mothers and other primary caregivers for preventing early childhood caries

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and is associated with adverse health and economic consequences for infants and their families. Socioeconomically disadvantaged children have a higher risk of early childhood caries (ECC).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions with pregnant women, new mothers or other primary caregivers of infants in the first year of life, for preventing ECC (from birth to six years of age).

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (to 14 January 2019), Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (to 22 January 2019), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Register of Studies, to 14 January 2019), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 14 January 2019), Embase Ovid (1980 to 14 January 2019) and CINAHL EBSCO (1937 to 14 January 2019). The US National Institutes of Health Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for ongoing trials. No restrictions were placed on language or publication status.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing one or more interventions with pregnant women, mothers, or other caregivers of infants in the first year of life (intervention types included clinical, oral health education/promotion such as hygiene education, breastfeeding and other dietary advice, and policy or health service), versus standard care or placebo or another intervention. For inclusion, trials had to report at least one caries outcome.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial eligibility, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and assessed certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 17 RCTs (4 cluster-randomised), involving 23,732 caregivers (mainly mothers) and their children. Eleven RCTs assessed four oral health education/promotion interventions against standard care: child diet advice, child diet and feeding practice advice, breastfeeding promotion and support, and oral hygiene with child diet and feeding practice advice. Six trials assessed clinical interventions in mother's dentition, four trials chlorhexidine (CHX, a commonly prescribed antiseptic agent) or iodine-NaF application and prophylaxis versus placebo, and two trials xylitol against CHX or CHX + xylitol. At most, three trials (maximum of 1148 children and 130 mothers) contributed data to any comparison. For many trials, risk of bias was judged unclear due to lack of methodological details reported, and there was high risk of attrition bias in some trials. None of the included trials indicated receiving funding that is likely to have influenced their results. The trials were performed in high-, middle- and low-income countries. In nine trials, participants were socioeconomically disadvantaged. For child diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, we observed a probable 15 per cent reduced risk of caries presence in primary teeth with the intervention (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97; 3 trials; 782 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and there may be a lower mean dmfs (decayed, missing, filled primary surfaces) score (MD -0.29, 95% CI -0.58 to 0; 2 trials; 757 participants; low-certainty evidence); however, we are uncertain regarding the difference between the groups in mean dmft (decayed, missing, filled teeth) score (MD -0.90, 95% CI -1.85 to 0.05; 1 trial; 340 participants; very low-certainty evidence). For breastfeeding promotion and support versus standard care, we observed that there may be little or no a difference between groups in the risk of caries presence in primary teeth (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.03; 2 trials; 1148 participants; low-certainty evidence), or mean dmft score (MD -0.12, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.36; 2 trials; 652 participants; low-certainty evidence). Dmfs was not reported for this comparison. We are uncertain whether child diet advice only compared with standard care reduces risk of caries presence in primary teeth (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.34 to 3.37; 1 trial; 148 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Dmfs and dmft were not reported for this comparison. For oral hygiene, child diet and feeding practice advice versus standard care, we observed little or no reduced risk of caries presence in primary teeth (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10; 2 trials; 365 participants; low-certainty evidence), and are uncertain regarding difference between the groups in mean dmfs score (MD -0.99, 95% CI -2.45 to 0.47; 1 trial; 187 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and dmft score (MD -0.30, 95% CI -0.96 to 0.36; 1 trial; 187 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We observed there may be little or no difference in risk of caries presence in primary teeth between antimicrobial and placebo treatment in mother's dentition (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.19; 3 trials; 479 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No trials assessing this comparison reported dmfs or dmft. For xylitol compared with CHX antimicrobial treatment, we observed there may be a lower mean dmft score with xylitol (MD -2.39; 95% CI -4.10 to -0.68; 1 trial, 113 participants; low-certainty evidence); however, we are uncertain regarding the difference between groups in caries presence in primary teeth (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.39; 1 trial, 96 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Neither trial evaluating this comparison reported dmfs. No trials assessed a health policy or service intervention.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that providing advice on diet and feeding to pregnant women, mothers or other caregivers with children up to the age of one year probably leads to a slightly reduced risk of early childhood caries (ECC). The remaining evidence is low to very low certainty and is insufficient for determining which, if any, other interventions types and features may be effective for preventing ECC. Large, high-quality RCTs of oral health education/promotion, clinical, and policy and service access interventions, are warranted to determine effects and relative effects of different interventions and inform practice. We have identified 12 studies currently in progress. Those designing future studies should describe the intervention components, setting and participants, consider if and how effects are modified by intervention features and participant characteristics, and adopt a consistent approach to measuring and reporting ECC.

21st century research in urban WASH and health in sub-Saharan Africa: methods and outcomes in transition

Tackling global inequalities in access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) remains an urgent issue - 58% of annual diarrhoeal deaths are caused by inadequate WASH provision. A global context of increasing urbanisation, changing demographics and health transitions demands an understanding and impact of WASH on a broad set of health outcomes. We examine the literature, in terms of health outcomes, considering WASH access and interventions in urban sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2017. Our review of studies which evaluate the effectiveness of specific WASH interventions, reveals an emphasis of WASH research on acute communicable diseases, particularly diarrhoeal diseases. In contrast, chronic communicable and non-communicable health outcomes were notable gaps in the literature as well as a lack of focus on cross-cutting issues, such as ageing, well-being and gender equality. We recommend a broader focus of WASH research and interventions in urban Africa to better reflect the demographic and health transitions happening. Abbreviations: CBA: Controlled Before and After; GSD: Government Service Delivery; IWDSSD: International Drinking-Water, Supply and Sanitation Decade (IDWSSD); KAP: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices; IBD: Irritable Bowel Diseases; MDG: Millennium Development Goals; NTD: Neglected Tropical Diseases; PSSD: Private Sector Service Delivery; SDG: Sustainable Development Goals; SSA: Sub Saharan Africa; SODIS: Solar Disinfection System; STH: Soil Transmitted Helminths; RCT: Randomised Control Trial; WASH: Water Sanitation and Hygiene; WHO: World Health Organization.

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.

Bayesian model with application to a study of dental caries

BACKGROUND

Dental caries are a significant public health problem. It is a disease with multifactorial causes. In Sub-Sahara Africa, Ethiopia is one of the countries with a high record of dental caries. This study was to determine the risk factors affecting dental caries using both Bayesian and classical approaches.

METHODS

The study design was a retrospective cohort study in the period of March 2009 to March 2013 dental caries patients Hawassa Haik Poly Higher Clinic. The Bayesian logistic regression procedure was adapted to make inference about the parameters of a logistic regression model. The purpose of this method was generating the posterior distribution of the unknown parameters given both the data and some prior density for the unknown parameters.

RESULTS

From this study the prevalence of natural dental caries was 87% and non-natural dental caries were 13%. The age group of 18-25 was higher prevalence of dental caries than the other age groups. From Bayesian logistic regression, we found out that rural patients, do not clean their teeth, patients from SNNPR and age group 18-25 are statistically significant. The finding from the Bayesian statistics approach is getting popular in data analysis than classical statistics because the technique is more robust and precise.

CONCLUSIONS

Bayesian approach was found to be better than classical method as the value of the standard errors in Bayesian approaches is smaller than that of classical logistic regression. The Bayesian credible interval is smaller than the length of the confidence interval for all significant risk factors. Age, sex, place of residence, region and habit of cleaning teeth was found to have a significant effect on dental caries patients.

The prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children and adolescences and its association with age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits and other risk factors. A cross-sectional study

Background: Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial disease, with limited data available for the Egyptian population. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children and adolescents in correlation with age, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status, parental education, biological risk factors and dietary habits.

Methods: A total number of 369 Egyptian children and adolescents (age ranges from 3-18 years) were examined over the period from 15 ^th November 2017 to 13 ^th January 2018. Socio-demographic data, oral hygiene measures and dietary habits for children were recorded. Dental status was analyzed using decayed, missing and filled tooth index (dmft) for deciduous dentition and (DMFT) index for permanent dentition. For mixed dentition (deft) index was used, d (decayed tooth indicated for filling), e (decayed tooth indicated for extraction) and f (filled tooth).

Results: 74% of the children had dental caries with mean dmft: 3.23±4.07; deft: 4.21±3.21; DMFT: 1.04±1.56. In primary dentition, dmft of the children was positively correlated with age, beans, candies, crackers, chocolates and inversely correlated with gender, socio-economic status (SES), parental education, brushing frequency of the parent, brushing frequency of the parent to the child teeth, brushing frequency of the child and consumption of eggs, fruits/vegetables, milk and milk products. In mixed dentition, deft was positively correlated with candies, crackers, citric juices, while negatively correlated with age, SES, parental education, brushing frequency of the parent to the child, brushing frequency of the child, fruits/vegetables. In permanent dentition, DMFT in children was positively correlated with age and chocolates while not correlated with any of the remaining risk factors.

Conclusion: The present study clarifies the significant risk factors associated with dental caries amongst Egyptian children. This will help in planning strategies to prevent and treat such disease.

Assessment of prevalence of dental caries and the associated factors among patients attending dental clinic in Debre Tabor general hospital: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is the most common dental health problem caused by the interaction of bacteria on tooth enamel. Risk factors for dental caries include salivary composition and inadequate fluoride. However, other factors, such as standard of living, behavior, hygiene, eating habits, social status and socio-demographic factors, also contribute to the evolution of caries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among patients attending the dental clinic in Debre Tabor General Hospital in North West Ethiopia.

METHOD

An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 systematically selected patients attending Debre Tabor General Hospital dental clinic from May 8-20, 2017. The data were collected using pre-tested questionnaire and oral examination by a qualified dental professional. Basic hygienic procedures were observed during an oral examination. The teeth were examined for dental caries by the presence of decay, missing and filled teeth. The data were entered into Epi-Info version 3.5 and cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive summary of the data and logistic regression were used to identify possible predictors using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P-value of 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 280 subjects participated in the study; among whom 129 (46.1%) were female and nearly two-thirds of the respondents 208 (74.3%) attended formal education. The study revealed k8that the overall prevalence of dental caries was 78.2%. Dental caries was lower among respondents who had good oral hygiene status (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI, 0.02, 0.81). Dental caries was higher among participants who earned less than 5000 Eth Birr per month (AOR = 8.43, 95% CI, 2.6, 27.2). Dental caries was lower among respondents who had good knowledge (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI, 0.03, 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of dental caries was high and found public health problem. Socioeconomic status, educational level, and poor oral hygiene practices were associated factors for dental caries. Health promotion about oral hygiene and integration of services are supremely important for the prevention of the problem of dental caries.

General anxiety, dental anxiety, digit sucking, caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in a semi-urban population in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Digit sucking can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems. The aim of this study was to determine if digit sucking is a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general and dental anxiety are associated with caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in sub-urban Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a secondary data analysis of a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The level of general anxiety and dental anxiety of 450 6 to12 year old children were measured using the Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale and Dental Subscale of the Child Fear Survey Schedule respectively. Presence of digit sucking habit, caries and oral hygiene status were determined. General anxiety and dental anxiety scores were dichotomized into low and high levels respectively. Logistic regression was conducted to determine if digit sucking was a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general anxiety and dental anxiety were predictors caries and good oral hygiene status. Adjustments were made for age and sex.

RESULTS

Digit sucking is not a significant predictor of dental anxiety (p = 0.99) and general anxiety (p = 0.79). Children with high general anxiety (AOR: 5.02; 95% CI: 2.9-9.74; p <  0.001) and high dental anxiety (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.15-2.65; p = 0.009) had higher odds of having caries and good oral hygiene respectively.

CONCLUSION

Digit sucking was not a significant predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety. General and dental anxiety however, had effects on the likelihood of having caries and good oral hygiene.

Prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among 12 years old students in Eritrea

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases of childhood in developing countries. However, there is a paucity of epidemiological data on the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries in Eritrea. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries among 12 years old school children in Eritrea.

METHODS

A school based cross sectional study was conducted among 225 twelve years old students in two selected schools. One school from randomly selected urban and rural subzones of the country were selected. WHO adopted questionnaire and a standard checklist were used to collect relevant data. To assess dental caries, two examiners were calibrated by a certified dentist and inter observer agreement was calculated using the Cohen's Kappa statistic (0.82). All data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dental caries was 78%, without significant difference between males (78%) and females (79%).The mean DMFT value was 2.50 (±2.21). The decayed component contributed 98.3% of the score as it had 2.44 (±1.2) share to the mean DMFT value. The first molar was the most affected tooth with a DMFT value of 1.55 (±1.36). The mean significant caries index score (SiC) was 4.97 (±1.9) which is higher than the upper limit of SiC value of 3 set by the WHO as a global average. More than half of the respondents had never visited a dentist and out of the students who had utilized a dental health facility, 82% of visits were due to dental pain while visits for regular checkups were cited by only 6.6% of the respondents.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries was found to be a common public health problem among 12 years old Eritrean students. The prevalence of dental caries, mean DMFT and SiC scores were higher than the average score of other developing countries. Gaps in dental health service utilization, dental health practices and suboptimal water fluoride levels contribute to poor dental health among school children in Eritrea.

Dental caries experience and treatment needs of an adult female population in Nigeria

Background

Experience and awareness of adult females concerning dental caries is important in its prevention particularly in children because of their natural role as care givers.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs in an adult female Nigerian population.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, adult females attending outreach programmes were examined for dental caries using the Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth caries index (DMFT). Socio-demographic variables were also recorded and statistical analysis done with SPSS software.

Results

A total of 430 females aged 16 to 59 years participated in the outreach programme out of which 109 (25.3%) had a DMFT score > 0. Mean DMFT was 0.7 ± 1.6. Fifty-five (12.8%) participants had decayed teeth, 78 (18.1 %) had missing teeth and 10(2.3%) had filled teeth. The treatment need was 34.3%, restorative index was 13.3% and significant caries index was 2.0. There were significant differences in caries experience based on age, marital status and educational qualifications of participants p < 0.05.

Conclusion

The prevalence of dental caries among the study group was low but the treatment need was high. Younger females, singles and those with lower educational qualifications had a higher dental caries experience.

Factors associated with caries: a survey of students from southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To describe the factors associated with dental caries among students from Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of 623 students of both genders, aged 10-17 years old. Tooth decay was performed using the index of the World Health Organization (1997), DMFT (permanent dentition) that expresses the sum of decayed, missing and filled teeth per person. The maternal educational level was rated using criteria of the Brazilian Association of Market Research Companies. The remaining variables were obtained by a structured questionnaire. Poisson regression analysis was used to test the association between variables using robust models and a subsequently adjusted model. Data were expressed as prevalence ratio (PR).

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis identified the following factors related to the experience of dental caries: residence in rural municipalities (PR: 1.15; 95%CI: 1.0-1.3), attending a city school (PR: 3.30; 95%CI: 1.1-9.4) or a state school (PR: 3.40; 95%CI: 1.1-9.6); and having an illiterate mother or a mother that only attended up to the 4th year of school (PR: 1.67; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4) or high school (PR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.1-2.2).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of caries in students in southern Brazil was associated with residence in rural areas, mother with little education and attendance to a public school.

Prevalence of developmental dental hard-tissue anomalies and association with caries and oral hygiene status of children in Southwestern, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Developmental dental hard tissue anomalies are often associated with oral health problems. This study determined the clinical prevalence of developmental dental hard tissue anomalies in the permanent dentition of children resident in southwestern Nigeria and its association with dental caries and poor oral hygiene status.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study recruiting 1565 school children, 12 to 15 year old attending schools in Ibadan, Oyo State and Ile-Ife, Osun State. All eligible study participants had oral examinations conducted to determine presence of developmental hard dental tissue anomalies, caries and oral hygiene status. The prevalence of developmental dental hard tissue anomalies was determined. Logistic Poisson regression was used to determine the association of between developmental dental hard tissue anomalies, caries and oral hygiene status.

RESULTS

Only 65 (4.2 %) children had clinically diagnosed developmental dental hard tissue anomalies. The most prevalent anomaly was enamel hypoplasia (2.2 %). More females (p = 0.003) and more children with middle socioeconomic class (p = 0.001) had enamel hypoplasia. The probability of having poor oral hygiene was significantly increased for children with developmental dental anomalies (APR: 0.07; 95 % CI: 0.03 - 0.12; p = 0.002). The probability of having caries was insignificantly increased for children with developmental dental hard tissue anomalies (APR: 0.005; 95 % CI: -0.03 - 0.04; p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

The most prevalence clinically detectable developmental dental hard tissue anomalies for the study population was enamel hypoplasia. The presence of developmental dental hard tissue anomalies significantly increased the chances of having poor oral hygiene but not caries. Further studies are required to understand if poor oral hygiene is associated with dental caries in children with developmental dental hard tissue anomalies.

Dental caries and associated factors among primary school children in Bahir Dar city: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is the most common chronic infectious disease of childhood caused by the interaction of bacteria, mainly Streptococcus mutans and sugary foods on tooth enamel. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries among primary school children at Bahir Dar city.

METHODS

A school based cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahir Dar city from October 2013 to January 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the children. Structured questionnaire was used to interview children and/or parents to collect socio demographic variables. Clinical dental information obtained by experienced dentist using dental caries criteria set by World Health Organization. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were computed to investigate factors associated with dental caries.

RESULTS

Of the 147 children, 82 (55.4%) were girls. Majority of the children (67.6%) cleaned their teeth using traditional method (small stick of wood made of a special type of plant). The proportion of children having dental caries was 32 (21.8%). Primary tooth decay accounted for 24 (75%) of dental caries. The proportion of missed teeth was 7 (4.8%). The overall proportion of toothache and dental plaque among school children were 40 (27.2%) and 99 (67.3%), respectively. Grade level of 1-4 (AOR = 3.9, CI = 1.49 -10.4), poor habit of tooth cleaning (AOR = 2.6, CI = 1.08 - 6.2), dental plaque (AOR = 5.3, CI = 1.6 - 17.7) and toothache (AOR = 6.3, CI = 2.4 - 15.4) were significantly associated with dental caries.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries is a common public health problem in school children associated with poor oral hygiene, dietary and dental visit habits. Therefore, prevention measures such as health education on oral hygiene, dietary habits and importance of dental visit are obligatory for children.

Effect of changing the kilovoltage peak on radiographic caries assessment in digital and conventional radiography

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of changing the kilovoltage peak (kVp) on the radiographic assessment of dental caries.

Materials and Methods

Seventy-five extracted posterior teeth with proximal caries or apparently sound proximal surfaces were radiographed with conventional E-speed films and a photostimulable phosphor system using 60 kVp and 70 kVp for the caries assessment. The images were evaluated by three oral radiologists and compared with the results of the stereomicroscope analysis.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found between 60 kVp and 70 kVp for the caries detection, determination of caries extension into dentin, and caries severity in either the conventional or the digital images. Good to very good inter-observer and intra-observer agreements were found for both kilovoltage values on the conventional and digital images.

Conclusion

Changing the kilovoltage between 60 kVp and 70 kVp had no obvious effect on the detection of proximal caries or determination of its extension or severity.

The role of parental education and socioeconomic status in dental caries prevention among Lithuanian children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to disclose parental attitudes toward their children's dental care and preventive measures used as well as to evaluate their associations with parental education and socioeconomic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1248 parents of 7-, 9-, and 12-year-old children from 5 largest Lithuanian cities were enrolled in the study. The questionnaire comprised 34 items, which were grouped into 4 clusters.

RESULTS

The parents with a high educational level scored better than those who had a low educational level (2.13 [SD, 0.39] vs. 2.2 [0.43], P=0.002). The parents who reported sufficient-family income scored their child's and their own health significantly better than those reporting insufficient-family income (2.02 [SD, 0.37] vs. 2.27 [SD, 0.41], P<0.001). The parents cared about their child's health more than about their own (1.53 [SD, 0.51] vs. 2.15 [0.61], P<0.001). The parents with a high educational level and those receiving sufficient income cared about education on oral hygiene and regular preventive dental check-ups more than those with a low educational level and insufficient income (36.7% and 40.8% vs. 30.2% and 28.7%, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). The children whose parents had a high educational level brushed their teeth 2 times a day more frequently than those of the parents with a low educational level (48.5% and 42.4%, respectively, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater attention to children's dental care as well as keeping their teeth healthy was paid by the parents with a high educational level and sufficient income.

Association between edentulism and angina pectoris in Mexican adults aged 35 years and older: a multivariate analysis of a population-based survey

BACKGROUND

The possible association between oral infection and chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk has been studied intensively. The present study is designed to determine the strength of association between edentulism and angina pectoris in Mexican adults aged 35 years and older.

METHODS

Using the tools and sampling strategies of the World Health Survey of the World Health Organization, cross-sectional data were collected in Mexico in the National Performance Assessment Survey (probabilistic, multistage, and cluster sampling). Dental information was available for 20 of the 32 states of Mexico. Angina and edentulism are self-reported in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using binary logistic regression adjusting for complex samples.

RESULTS

A total of 13,966 participants, representing a population of 29,853,607 individuals, were included. Of the complete study population, 3,052,263 (10.2%) were completely toothless, and 673,810 (2.3%) were diagnosed with angina pectoris. After adjusting for smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, body mass index, and sex, the effect of edentulism on angina was modified by age (interaction), being more marked in the younger age group (odds ratio [OR] = exp(2.5597) =12.93) than in the older individuals surveyed (OR = exp(2.5597 + (-0.0334)) =12.51). Additionally, low physical activity (OR = 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03 to 2.22) and higher socioeconomic status (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.90) were more likely to be associated with angina pectoris.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results of this study, conducted in a representative sample of Mexican adults, suggest that an association exists between edentulism and angina pectoris. Additional studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanism for this association.