Risk indicators of caries lesion activity in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Public Health
• Cariology

Background:

• Dental caries remains a significant public health issue in children worldwide.
• Identifying early risk indicators is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine risk indicators for active caries lesion activity in children.
• To assess the association between sugar intake frequency and caries activity.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 97 children aged 3-12 years.
• Data collection included questionnaires on diet and hygiene, and clinical examination for caries activity.
• Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate relative risk.

Main Results:

• The mean number of active caries lesion surfaces was 9.81.
• Increased sugar intake frequency (2+ times/day) was associated with a higher likelihood of active caries.
• Children aged 8-12 years showed a lower probability of active caries compared to younger children.

Conclusions:

• Sugar intake frequency is a significant risk indicator for active dental caries in children.
• Monitoring sugar consumption is a vital component of dental caries control strategies.
• Targeted interventions focusing on dietary habits are recommended for pediatric dental health.