Salivary count of Streptococcus mutans in elementary school children

Previous studies have documented that persons with high levels of Streptococcus mutans are "at risk" for dental caries. The objective of this study was to identify children at an early age who were "at risk" for caries. The sample consisted of 77 school children aged 9-13 years old. The majority of the sample was African-Americans (55.8%). Approximately 51% were females. The Dentocult SM Strip Mutans Test was used to estimate the S. mutans count in saliva. The method is based on the use of a selected culture broth and the adhere S. mutans count of < 1,000,000 bacteria ml saliva and children with S. mutans count of < 1,000,000 were classified as "low risk" for caries. The DMF-T was used to estimate the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth. The decayed mean score = 1.85; range = 0-9. Only two children had teeth missing (one in each). The number of filled teeth was low; mean = .88; range = 0-6. The DMF-T mean score was 2.75; range = 0-9. Correlations were sought between levels of S. mutans rates and decayed teeth. Low, but nonsignificant, correlations were found between S. mutans and decayed teeth (r = .20). This trend continued for S. mutans levels and the DMF-T (r = .16). Analysis of Variance Test (ANOVA) indicated a significant effect by sex on the levels of S. mutans P < .05 (females had higher S. mutans levels than males). There was no significant difference or interaction noted in DMF-T scores by sex or race. In addition no significant difference was noted in the number of decayed teeth by sex or race. Our results indicate that females in this age group are potentially at greater risk for dental caries than their male counterparts due to the observed higher levels of S. mutans. This observation deserves further study.