Caries prevalence in Suriname schoolchildren

Area of Science:

• Oral health epidemiology
• Pediatric dentistry
• Public health dentistry

Background:

• Assessing oral health status is crucial for defining dental care needs.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for global oral health surveillance.
• Understanding regional disparities in oral health is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the oral health status of children in the Interior of Suriname.
• To align dental care needs with WHO goals and guidelines.
• To identify specific populations requiring prioritized oral health interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 951 children aged 5-15 years.
• Dental caries was assessed using Decayed, Missing, and Filled (DMF) teeth (T) and surfaces (S) indices.
• Children were categorized into three age groups, with analysis of regional, racial, and gender differences.

Main Results:

• Youngest children (5-7.5 yrs) exhibited high caries prevalence (mean dmfs 11.81, dmft 5.16), with 17.2% caries-free.
• Significant regional, racial, and gender disparities in caries were observed in the youngest group.
• Older children (7.5-15 yrs) showed low to moderate caries levels (mean DMFS 0.84 and 2.31), with no significant group differences.

Conclusions:

• Caries prevalence is high among young children in the Interior of Suriname, per WHO criteria.
• Older children in the region experience lower caries levels.
• Future oral health care planning should prioritize interventions for young children in Suriname.