Prevalence and risk indicators for underlying dentin shadows among 12-year-old southern Brazilian schoolchildren

Prevalence, extent, risk indicators, and intraoral distribution of underlying dentin shadows (ICDAS 4) among 15–19-year-old South Brazilian adolescents

“…This finding corroborates the association between type of school[ 17 ] and UDS observed among 12-year-old schoolchildren from southern Brazil. [ 14 ] In addition, it corroborates the well-known association between socioeconomic variables and the overall prevalence of dental caries observed in similar schoolchildren populations from Brazil. [ 8 18 ] Although caries prevalence has diminished significantly in recent decades[ 2 3 ] it remains a major public health concern,[ 4 ] being the socially disadvantaged individuals the most affected population.…”

“…This study found a low prevalence rate of UDS (8.8%), similar found in the study conducted with 12 year old (6.3%). [ 14 ] It is possible to speculate that this higher rate may be attributed, in part, with the present sample being exposed to risk factors for a longer period. This explanation is aligned with the significant association between age and UDS extent found in this study, with older adolescents having a 43% higher mean number of UDS lesions than younger ones.…”

“…including 12 year old, in which both caries experience and caries activity were significantly associated with UDS prevalence in the unadjusted analysis, but only the former remained associated in the final model. [ 14 ] It suggests that the accumulated history of the disease was a stronger predictor of UDS lesions in that 12-year-old population, whereas the current ongoing disease was more relevant in this 15–19-year-old population. Indeed, a previous systematic review by Mejàre et al.…”

“…Despite the publication of in vitro studies[ 8 9 10 11 ] and clinical studies including convenience samples,[ 12 13 ] there is only one population-based epidemiological survey in the literature evaluating the prevalence and risk indicators for UDS in a representative sample. [ 14 ] After assessing 1528 12-year-old schoolchildren in a southern Brazilian city, a low prevalence of UDS lesions (6.3%) was reported. The presence of UDS was associated with socioeconomic factors (individual's school type), and clinical factors (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth [cavity level] [DMFT] ≥1).…”