Epidemiological investigation of caries prevalence in first grade school children in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Deciduous Molars Complexity Anatomy Reveled by Computed Microtomography

OBJECTIVE

 The aim of this study was to analyze the internal morphology of deciduous molars through the use of computed microtomography in a sample from Rio de Janeiro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

 Thirty maxillary and 30 mandibular deciduous molars (n = 60), divided in first and second primary molars, were scanned by computed microtomography. The teeth were evaluated for root number, root canals, Vertucci classification, root curvature, presence of lateral canals, furcation dentin thickness, structure model index (SMI), volume, and canal surface area.

RESULTS

 The results showed 100% of maxillary molars had three roots and Vertucci type I canal was more prevalent in this group. In the mandibular ones, type IV was more frequent in the mesial root and class I in the distal root and the cavo-interradicular canal occurred in 2 specimens. Dentin thickness in the furcation region measured 1.53 and 1.59 mm in the maxillary and mandibular, respectively. Volume and area parameters varied according to the evaluated canals and SMI demonstrated that all canals had a cylindrical shape.

CONCLUSION

 More detailed information about the internal anatomy of the primary molars has been described, which may help strategies in the preparation of these root canals.

Dental wear and oral pathology among sex determined Early Bronze-Age children from Franzhausen I, Lower Austria

The physical properties of diet and oral health throughout childhood play an important role in the development of human dentition, and differed greatly before the industrial revolution. In this study we examined dental wear and oral pathology in a sample of children from the Early Bronze-Age to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of childhood diet and related oral health. We explore cross-sectional age and sex-based variation of children in the sample. The analysis was carried out on the dentitions of 75 children, 978 teeth, excavated from the Early Bronze-Age cemetery Franzhausen I in Lower Austria. Presence of dental caries and calculus was recorded. Dental wear was measured using dentine exposure, occlusal topography, and dental microwear texture analysis. Sex determination was carried out using amelogenin peptide analysis. Caries were found in only 4 individuals (crude prevalence rate-5%, 95% CI 1% to 13%), affecting only 5 teeth (true prevalence rate-less than 1%). Dentine exposure was observed in over 70% of deciduous molars and dental wear measurements indicate a comparatively strong dental wear accumulation especially, among younger children, when compared to modern-day and later pre-industrial populations. Microwear textures presented a high complexity (Asfc > 2)/low anisotropy (epLsar < 1) profile, especially in older children. Differences between male and female children were not generally significant but increased dentine exposure was observed in the lower molars of younger female children. Our results suggest that the Early Bronze-Age children at Franzhausen I consumed a non-cariogenic diet, more abrasive and inclusive of harder/polyhedral foodstuffs than present-day children and some later Medieval children. Differences in dental wear accumulation were observed between children within the population, but with minimal variation between the sexes mostly occurring among younger children.

Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a type of dental caries in the teeth of infants and children that is represented as one of the most prevalent dental problems in this period. Various studies have reported different types of prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children worldwide. However, there has been no comprehensive study to summarize the results of these studies in general, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children in different continents of the world during a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

In this review study, articles were extracted by searching in the national and international databases of SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Cochrane, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI) between 1995 and December 2019. Random effects model was used for analysis and heterogeneity of studies was evaluated by using the I² index. Data were analyzed by using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 2) software.

Findings

In this study, a total of 164 articles (81 articles on the prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth and 83 articles on the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth) were entered the meta-analysis. The prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth in children in the world with a sample size of 80,405 was 46.2% (95% CI: 41.6–50.8%), and the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth in children in the world with a sample size of 1,454,871 was 53.8% (95% CI: 50–57.5%). Regarding the heterogeneity on the basis of meta-regression analysis, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children in different continents of the world. With increasing the sample size and the year of study, dental caries in primary teeth increased and in permanent teeth decreased.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that the prevalence of primary and permanent dental caries in children in the world was found to be high. Therefore, appropriate strategies should be implemented to improve the aforementioned situation and to troubleshoot and monitor at all levels by providing feedback to hospitals.

Impact of Lifestyle Variables on Oral Diseases and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children of Milan (Italy)

A large part of the Italian population doesn’t receive adequate information and support on how to maintain oral health. In this observational, cross-sectional, pilot study, we investigated how some lifestyle-related variables affect oral diseases and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children attending public-school summer services in Milan. A survey that included questions on children’s oral disease, OHRQoL and lifestyle-related factors (feeding habits, oral hygiene protective behaviors, dental coaching and socio-economic and educational status), was administered to the children’s caregivers. Data from 296 surveys were analyzed to assess the protective/negative effect of each variable on oral disease and OHRQoL. With respect to disease, the “never” consumption of fruit juice, the use of fluoride toothpaste, higher educational qualification and ISEE (equivalent family income) of those who filled out the form, resulted protective factors. Regarding OHRQoL, the “never” assumption/use of tea bottle, sugared pacifier and fruit juice as well as the use of fluoride toothpaste, a higher educational qualification and ISEE of those who filled out the form, resulted to have protective effects. In conclusion, protective behaviors and socio-economic status affect oral disease and OHRQoL in children of Milan.

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.

Dental Infection and Resistance-Global Health Consequences

Antibiotics are widely used in dental caries and another dental related issues, both for therapeutic and prophylactic reasons. Unfortunately, in recent years the use of antibiotics has been accompanied by the rapid emergence antimicrobial resistance. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are historically known as the top oral health burden in both developing and developed nations affecting around 20⁻50% of the population of this planet and the uppermost reason for tooth loss. Dental surgeons and family practitioners frequently prescribed antimicrobials for their patients as outpatient care. Several studies reported that antibiotics are often irrationally- and overprescribed in dental diseases which is the basis of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this review is to evaluate the use of antibiotics in dental diseases. Almost certainly the promotion of primary oral health care (POHC) in primary health care program especially among the least and middle-income countries (LMIC) may be the answer to ensure and promote rational dental care.

Dental caries prevalence and its association with fluoride level in drinking water in Sana'a, Yemen

Objectives:

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic condition affecting schoolchildren worldwide. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren in urban and rural districts of Sana'a governorate, Yemen, and to investigate the correlation between caries experience and level of fluoride in drinking water, age, gender, and residence.

Materials and Methods:

This school-based survey involved 17,599 schoolchildren (aged 6–12 years), of whom 9623 were boys and 7976 were girls. We used decay-missing-filled teeth/decay-filled teeth (DMFT/dft) indices to evaluate dental caries experience. In addition, fluoride concentration in drinking water was investigated.

Results:

Around 67.6% of children had dental caries. Children residing in urban districts had significantly higher mean scores of DMFT/dft than those in rural areas (P < 0.05). A significant negative correlation between caries experience and fluoride level was found (P < 0.05), with the lowest dft/DMFT scores at the optimum fluoride level of 0.61–2 ppm and the highest at two extremes, 0.0–0.4 ppm and >2 ppm.

Conclusion:

This survey found a very high prevalence of caries among schoolchildren in Yemen. There was also an inverse relation between dental caries experience and fluoride levels.

Oral Health Status Related to Social Behaviors among 6 - 11 Year Old Schoolchildren in Kosovo

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the current oral health status among schoolchildren in Kosovo aged 6-11 years.

Material and methods

A study included 5679 schoolchildren aged 6 -11 years, from different towns of Kosovo. Dental health status was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT index), for deciduous and permanent dentition. The observed children have answered a number of questions about their oral hygiene, eating habits, and dental visits. The analysis included frequencies and means. The differences between means were tested using the student t-test (p<0.05). The factors associated with dental caries were tested using the Spearman’s rank.

Results

The mean dmft/DMFT of schoolchildren aged 6-11 years was 4.36 ± 3.763 and 1.20 ± 1.488, respectively. Sealant placements were found among 90 schoolchildren, amounting to 1.58%. From 8 years of age, 50% of children brush their teeth twice a day. Confectionery consumption among the observed children has increased. Forty percent of them eat sweets at least once a day, and majority of them visit their dentists only when necessary. A significant correlation between consumption of confectionery, oral hygiene, dental visits and the prevalence of caries was confirmed.

Conclusion

The results of the present study show that there is a high prevalence of caries among 6-11 year old schoolchildren, thus pointing to a need for an extensive program of primary oral health care as well as utilizing preventive measures and regular dental visits.