Journals / Cumhuriyet Dental Journal / 2016 / Cilt: 19 - Sayı: 2
Dental Caries and Caries Associated Factors of Six and Seven Year-Old Children Living in a High Fluoride Area
- Journal
- Cumhuriyet Dental Journal
- Pages
- 135–144
- DOI
- —
Abstract
Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of dental caries and fluorosis in six and seven year-old children living in a high-fluoride area and to evaluate the associations between the caries experience and sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and diet in this population. Materials and Methods: A total of 2000 children, ranging in age from six to seven years of age in the first grade of elementary school in Isparta, Turkey were included in this study. The questionnaires, including questions about sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and diet, were answered by the parents of these children. Three experienced examiners performed the clinical examinations. The data were analyzed using the linear regression model to determine factors independently associated with the caries experience. The one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests were used to analyze the differences in the caries experience scores. Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in the caries experience scores depending on age and gender (a = 0.05)Results: While 30% of the children have no carious primary teeth, 96% have no carious permanent teeth. Thirty percent had no carious teeth. The mean caries experience (dmf+DMFT) was 3.60 (±3.63). Various degrees of fluorosis were present in 2% of the children’s primary dentition and 28% of the children’s permanent dentition. The father’s and mother’s education, the paternal and maternal ages of the parents, when the child’s first dental visit occurred, the frequency of toothbrushing and ingesting sugar-containing soft drinks were all associated with the caries experience. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries and fluorosis was high among the examined child population in the high-fluoride area. Sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and diet are risk indicators for caries in this population.