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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Factors associated with severe caries among adults in Kuwait
E S Akpata1, A Al-Attar, P N Sharma
1Department of Restorative Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. akpata@hsc.edu.kw
Summary
High sugar intake and poor oral hygiene are key factors in severe adult caries in Kuwait, even with healthy salivary glands. These findings highlight preventable causes of advanced tooth decay.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Oral Epidemiology
- Cariology
Background:
- Severe caries presents a significant oral health challenge in adult populations.
- Understanding etiological factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific etiological factors and the occurrence of severe caries in adults residing in Kuwait.
- To identify key risk factors contributing to severe dental caries in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study comparing 42 adults with severe caries to 36 caries-free adults in Kuwait.
- Assessment of salivary flow rates, buffering capacity, sugar consumption frequency, oral hygiene index, and microbial counts (Mutans streptococci, Lactobacillus).
Main Results:
- Adults with severe caries exhibited significantly higher sugar consumption, plaque index, and counts of Lactobacillus and Mutans streptococci compared to caries-free individuals.
- Salivary flow rates and buffering capacity did not significantly differ between the groups.
- Frequency of sugar consumption, oral hygiene, and Mutans streptococci count were independently associated with severe caries.
Conclusions:
- Severe caries can develop in adults in Kuwait irrespective of compromised salivary gland function.
- Dietary habits (sugar consumption) and oral hygiene practices are critical determinants of severe caries development in this population.
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