Caries increment over A 3-Year Period in Adolescent

Children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

   
A longitudinal epidemiological study was carried out to correlate caries increment with base-line DMFT, frequency of sugar consumption and oral hygiene in Riyadh children. A 3-day dietary diary was obtained from 12-13-year-old children prior to an initial dental examination and interview in 1989, while the final dental examination took place three years later. Information was also obtained on the children's oral hygiene practices. Caries increment was significantly higher in girls than boys (p < 0.01) and, on the average, approximately one tooth per child succumbed to caries each year. Although there was a statistically significant relationship between the base-line DMFT and caries increment, regression analysis showed that baseline DMFT could not be used to predict future caries experience. In addition, there was no association between frequency of sugar consumption and caries increment. Contrary to expectation, the children who practiced oral hygiene three or more times a day experienced significantly higher caries increment than those who did not practice any Form of oral hygiene. As caries increment was relatively low, an annual check-up fof caries would appear adequate for most of the children.

Saudi Dental Journal 1996;8(2):68-73