Caries in primary teeth and caries in permanent teeth: association and effect modifiers

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Dental caries in primary teeth can predict future caries development.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective oral health strategies in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between primary teeth caries and permanent teeth caries in schoolchildren.
• To identify factors that modify this association.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using School Dental Care Service data from Hong Kong.
• Exposure: Caries in primary teeth in Grade 1.
• Analysis: Marginal structural model with overlap weights.

Main Results:

• Children with primary teeth caries had a significantly higher risk (adjusted risk ratio 2.8) of developing permanent teeth caries.
• The association was stronger in boys and non-only children.
• Incidence of permanent teeth caries increased from 5.7% to 10.5% between Grade 1 and Grade 3.

Conclusions:

• Caries in primary teeth is a predictor of caries in permanent teeth.
• Sex and only-child status are significant effect modifiers.
• Targeted interventions for high-risk groups can improve oral health outcomes.