Can oral health promotion help develop masticatory function and prevent dental caries?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• The Oral Health Promotion Project (OHPP) was initiated in 1984 on Miyako Island, Japan, to foster masticatory system development and prevent dental diseases.
• The project focused on dietary interventions in a region lacking regular dental services, with an eight-year intervention period followed by a nine-year follow-up.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term impact of the OHPP on dental caries prevalence.
• To evaluate the project's influence on masticatory function in children.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study compared children from the intervention district with age-matched control groups from a neighboring district.
• Data were collected on deciduous dentition at age 4 and permanent dentition at ages 13-15.
• Dietary habits were monitored, and masticatory function was assessed using chewing performance, bite force, and electromyography (EMG).

Main Results:

• Children born after the OHPP implementation consumed fewer snacks and caloric drinks and more fiber-rich foods.
• A significant decrease in carious teeth was observed in children born after the project's inception.
• Masticatory function, evaluated via a composite factor score, was significantly higher in children born after 1984 compared to earlier cohorts and controls.

Conclusions:

• The OHPP demonstrates efficacy in promoting masticatory function and preventing dental caries.
• Initiating dietary interventions shortly after birth is crucial for maximizing oral health benefits.