Caries Patterns in Primary Dentition in 3-, 5- and 7-Year-Old Children: Spatial Correlation and Preventive Consequences

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute to the descriptive information of oral health status in the primary dentition, especially concerning the distribution and spatial correlation of lesions. Data were obtained from two surveys. In the Signal-Tandmobiel® project 4,468 7-year-old children in Flanders (Belgium) were selected by a stratified clustered random sample. In the Tandje de Voorste – Smile for Life (TDV) project, data were obtained from 1,291 3-year-old and 1,315 5-year-old children. The children were examined by trained dentists, using standardized and widely accepted criteria, based on the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry criteria. At the population level, symmetry in the prevalence of caries experience across the midline was tested at the tooth and tooth surface levels using generalized estimating equations and alternating logistic regression (ALR) approaches. Individual symmetry was tested using an approach described by Hujoel et al. [J Dent Res 1994;73:1575–1580]. Descriptive observations suggested a symmetrical distribution of caries experience at the population level. The null hypothesis of symmetry could not be rejected at a 0.05 level, suggesting that caries experience might be symmetric in the deciduous dentition. Based on the ALR approach, 2 × 2 associations of caries experience at the tooth and surface levels, both in 5- and 7-year-olds, appeared to be strongest for the left-right pairs in the mandible, followed by the left-right pairs in the maxilla. At the individual level the hypothesis of random caries pattern was rejected (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, at the population level the null hypothesis of left-right symmetry could not be rejected, while at the individual level lesions tended to cluster on one side of the mouth.

Modelling the Bilateral Symmetry of Caries Incidence

“…The study did not show precise symmetry between equivalent surfaces on the left and right sides of the mouth but found that symmetry existed within groups of sites with similar susceptibility to caries. A recent evaluation of deciduous teeth in 7,074 children aged 3-7 years [Vanobbergen et al, 2007] concluded that associations of caries experience at the population level appeared to follow a symmetrical pattern, but at an individual level, when using the same method as Hujoel et al [1994], the study found similar results, i.e. that caries lesions tend to cluster on 1 side of the mouth.…”

Dental caries in primary and permanent molars in 7-8-year-old schoolchildren evaluated with Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index

“…The regularities in caries distribution with regard to teeth, sites and groups of sites were also found [12-16]. The three possible patterns were evaluated: random, aggregated and regular, however, the hypothesis that teeth were randomly infected by caries was rejected.…”

Caries pattern in three-year old preschool children

“…Its prevalence varies considerably in different populations from 4% in Sweden by 11.7% in England, 50.5% in Lithuania to above 80% in Native Americans or Kosovo. [1][2][3][4] The incidence of tooth decay in children at this age ranges from 0.4 to 3.86.…”

“…9,10 The pattern of caries in primary dentition changes with age, as in 3-year-old children the upper incisors are the most frequently affected by caries, while in older children the lower molar teeth, which may suggest a connection with the timing of tooth eruption and their time of being in the oral cavity. 11,12 The aim of the study was to evaluate the pattern of early childhood caries in children at the age of 3.…”