Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
Cross-sectional Study on White Spot Lesions and its Association with Dental Caries Experience among School Children
Deepa Austin1, Hosadurga L JayaKumar1, Krishnaswamy M Chandra1
1Department of Public Health Dentistry, AECS Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Aim:
To evaluate the association of white spot lesions (WSLs) with existing dental caries experience and other clinical parameters among children aged 7-12 years.
Design:
A cross-sectional comparative study on 407 children using Nyvad's caries diagnostic criteria was performed on the permanent first incisors and molars. Accordingly, they were grouped as cases (presence of caries) and controls (sound). The data pertaining to sociodemographic variables and clinical variables of oral hygiene index (OHI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS-dmfs), eruption degree of first permanent molars, and number of WSLs were subjected to bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression to identify the predictor variables for the caries lesion activity.
Results:
Relatively higher DMFS-dmfs scores, the number of WSLs, GBI, and OHI were recorded among the cases. In multiple logistic regression analysis, WSL ≥ 1 (OR = 18.78; CI 9.74-36.21, p = 0.0001), DMFS-dmfs + WSL ≥ 20 (OR = 30.75; CI 1.8-525.28, p = 0.0001), GBI > 0.5 (OR = 8.46; CI 4.05-17.66, p = 0.0001); OHI > 1.2 (OR = 2.83; CI 1.11-7.23, p = 0.03) were found to be significant predictors for the cases.
Conclusion:
It is important to be cognizant of the initiation of caries in children through the initial stages so that efforts can be pooled in towards prevention rather than extensive curative measures.
Clinical Significance:
In routine clinical examinations, WSLs are seldom detected. An insight into these lesions can help the dentists' to strategize the preventive measures enabling a reduction in total dental caries experience, burden of disease, and improved quality of life.
How To Cite This Article:
Austin D, Jaya Kumar HL, Chandra KM, et al. Cross-sectional Study on White Spot Lesions and its Association with Dental Caries Experience among School Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(2):107-112.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...