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Teething pattern and prevalence of dental caries
M U Khan1, H A Abu-Zeid, A Faraj
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Children in Abha, Saudi Arabia, show delayed tooth eruption and a higher prevalence of dental caries compared to international averages. Further research is needed to understand the causes of these findings in pediatric dental health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dental development and caries prevalence vary globally.
- Understanding regional oral health patterns is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess tooth eruption patterns in children under 12 years old in Abha, Saudi Arabia.
- To determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 146 randomly selected families in Abha.
- Dental examinations and tooth counts were performed during home visits for children under 12.
- The Decayed, Missing, and Filled (DMF) index was calculated.
Main Results:
- Tooth eruption was delayed, with no teeth present before 5 months.
- By 12 months, children averaged 3.3 erupted teeth; by 3 years, 18.8 teeth.
- At 12 years, children had an average of 24.4 teeth, fewer than the international average of 28.
- The DMF index increased significantly with age, from 1.8 at 4 years to 5.1 at 7 years and 5.2 at 10 years.
- Caries rates were notably higher than in Australia, Great Britain, USA, India, China, and Sudan.
Conclusions:
- Children in Abha exhibit delayed tooth eruption and a higher rate of dental caries compared to international benchmarks.
- The findings indicate a significant public health concern regarding pediatric oral health in the region.
- Further investigations into the specific causes of high caries rates are strongly recommended.