Early childhood caries among Hawaii public school children, 1989 vs. 1999

Utilizing a standardized oral health assessment tool, public school children ages 5 through 9 were evaluated Statewide in 1989 and 1999. In both samples, it was demonstrated that Asian & Pacific Islander children (as a group), by contrast with Caucasian, African Amercan or Hispanic children, suffered from disproportionately high rates of dental caries, were more likely to have unmet treatment needs and less likely to utilize dental sealants. Significant variance among oral health/ oral disease indicators was found among ethnic and regional groups and all Hawaii cohorts were found to have poorer oral health indicators by contrast with U.S. national findings. Data was not found to follow any particular pattern with regards to urban vs. rural settings. This report shows the value of considering a variety of oral health indicators in evaluating the health of a community. More research needs to be done in evaluating the influence of socioeconomic status and cultural beliefs and practices on the oral health of young children in Hawai'i.