BackgroundPrevious surveys have indicated that a majority of Indonesian children have poor oral health. However, little detailed information is available on underlying causation and none that examine impacts of oral health on child self-esteem, school performance and perceived employability. The aim of this study was to determine levels of child oral health in primary school children in Indonesia, the prevalence of key causal factors; and, to determine relationships between oral health, self-esteem and school academic performance.MethodsCross-sectional epidemiological study in a sample (n = 984) of children aged 6–7 and 10–11 years old attending three public schools in Indonesia. A dental visual impact study was conducted, in which teachers reported their perceptions of the impact of child oral health on school academic performance. Oral health behaviors, self-esteem, and school performance were assessed. The children were clinically examined to measure dental caries and oral cleanliness.ResultsTeachers believe that children with visually poor oral health and impaired smiles are more likely to perform poorly at school, be socially excluded and have lower job prospects than their peers with visually good oral health and healthy smiles. The percentages of children with decayed teeth were 94 and 90% in the 6-7- and 10–11-year age groups, respectively. Families reported high levels of child consumption of sugar-containing foods and drinks; many had irregular use of fluoride toothpaste. Children with substantial plaque on their teeth achieved significantly lower levels of school performance than their peers with clean teeth. Significant associations were found between school performance and self-esteem for these children.ConclusionsThe study findings highlight the need for preventive care programs to improve the oral health of children in Indonesia and prospective determination of associations between child oral health; self-esteem and school academic performance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12903-017-0358-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Whitening toothpaste are easily obtained over the counter by consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the side effects of whitening toothpaste on enamel roughness and micro hardness which might contribute to increase caries risk. Methods: Enamel specimens were obtained from 60 unidentified freshly extracted human premolars. The enamel specimens were randomly divided into three groups; whitening toothpaste containing perlite, whitening toothpaste containing -phtalimido peroxycaproid acid (EURECO Ⓡ HC, Indonesia), and non-whitening toothpaste as control. Tooth brushing was performed equal to 1 and 3 months. Surface roughness tester was used to determine enamel roughness and Knoop Micro hardness tester was used to determine enamel micro hardness. Results: There were statistically significant differences in enamel roughness after 1 and 3 months equivalent tooth brushing between three groups. There were significant differences in enamel micro hardness values for all groups after three months-brushing which showed a decrease in micro hardness for whitening groups and an increase in micro hardness for non-whitening group. Conclusion: Tooth brushing with whitening toothpaste for a prolonged time increases enamel roughness and decreases enamel micro hardness, which in turn increases the potential of caries risk.

This study revealed significant relationships between the number of FTUs and nutritional status. Keeping the posterior occlusion should be emphasized in order to maintain good nutritional status in older subjects.

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia which is surrounded by its satellite cities Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi. Nonetheless, scarce information are available of the current oral health of children. Objective: The study aims to describe caries and gingival status among 5 and 12 years old children in Jabodetabek. Jabodetabek is an abbreviation of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, and the satellite cities in its surrounding (Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi). Methods: The survey was done in 2014 and had already got ethical approval. Design of this study was crosssectional. Subjects were 5-year-old and 12-year-old Indonesian children living in Jabodetabek, selected using cluster sampling method. One trained examiner performed the clinical examination. Caries experience was measured using DMFT index, severity of decayed teeth was assessed using PUFA index, gingival status and oral hygiene were measured by Loe and Sillness modified index. Results: A total of 390 5-year-old and 458 12-year-old children with balanced proportion between girls and boys participated in the survey. The prevalence of caries experience among the 5-yearold children and 12-year-old children were 90% and 84% respectively. The mean DMFT and DT scores among the 5-year-old children and 12-year-old children were 7.5±5.5 and 6.8±4.8; 3.2±2.2 and 2.9±2.1 respectively. Pulp involvement were apparent in 45% and 23% of caries in 5 and 12-year-old children respectively. Most children, 45% 5-year-old children and 92% 12-year-old children had substantial amount of plaque. Moreover, 68% 12-year-old children had gingivitis. Conclusion: Dental caries were prevalent among 5 and 12-year-old Indonesian children in Jakarta and its satellite cities. The oral health condition of most of the children were poor.