Dental caries in the Myanmar population: Findings from the first national oral health survey in 2016–2017

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the dental caries status of indicator age groups as mentioned in the WHO pathfinder methodology, compare caries experiences among those age groups according to gender and geographical location, and assess the association between dental caries and related risk factors in primary and permanent dentition.MethodsA sample of 5928 participants aged 6, 12, 15–18, 35–44 and 60–74 years were recruited from 21 selected townships in the first Myanmar national oral health survey. Clinical oral examinations and questionnaire‐based surveys were conducted from December 2016 to January 2017.ResultsThe prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth was 85.3% with a mean dmft of 5.7 at age 6 years. The prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth and mean DMFT were 36.5% and 0.8 at 12 years, 43.8% and 1.1 at 15–18 years, 64.7% and 3.0 at 35–44 years, and 93.6% and 11.5 at 60–74 years. Missing teeth were higher in 60–74‐year‐olds, with 27 participants being fully edentulous. There were significant differences in caries experiences between males and females aged 15–18, 35–44 and 60–74 years. In the adjusted logistic regression, consumption of sweets or candies three times or more a day showed significantly higher risks of dental caries in primary teeth. Age, gender, consumption of sweets or candies and consumption of sweet drinks were associated factors for dental caries in permanent teeth.ConclusionThe findings from the first national oral health survey indicate that caries in primary teeth is an important oral health problem for Myanmar children. Tooth loss was also found to be a concern in the aging population. National oral health policies and strategies need to be developed to promote awareness and understanding of oral health, in particular the role of risk factors such as sugary foods and drinks in tooth decay in children and adults.

Early childhood caries and its associated factors among 5-years-old Myanmar children

“…The results of this study provide the updated prevalence of ECC and associated factors among five-year-old children in Mandalay, Myanmar, which could be used to develop oral health prevention and promotion strategies for this age group. The results of this study showed similar caries and dmft prevalence rates to those reported in the Myanmar National Oral Health Survey (84.1% and 5.71) ( 20 , 21 ) and in other studies conducted in different cities including in Naypyidaw (81.3%, 4.26 ± 3.76) ( 22 ) and Yangon (84.1%, 5.84 ± 4.57) ( 19 ). These findings demonstrated that ECC prevalence remains high and severe among young Myanmar children.…”

“…According to the systematic review conducted in Southeast Asia countries, children aged five to six years had a particularly high prevalence (25%-95%) of ECC (17). The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, a Southeast Asia country with a population of approximately 54 million people, is among the country where ECC is highly prevalent among young children (18)(19)(20)(21). According to the National Oral Health survey (2016-2017), the mean dmft of 6-year-old-school children was 5.7 whereas the prevalence of untreated caries was 84.1% (20,21).…”

“…The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, a Southeast Asia country with a population of approximately 54 million people, is among the country where ECC is highly prevalent among young children (18)(19)(20)(21). According to the National Oral Health survey (2016-2017), the mean dmft of 6-year-old-school children was 5.7 whereas the prevalence of untreated caries was 84.1% (20,21). Another study also reported that 81.3% of 5-6 years old children had caries experiences with dmft 4.26 (22).…”

“…In Myanmar, while there's a notable emphasis on five primary oral health initiatives, such as early childhood caries prevention, school-based programs, maternal education, fluoride accessibility, and oral cancer awareness, the provision of basic dental services in less accessible regions are still a hurdle. Moreover, the majority of dental professionals are more involved in advanced preventive measures than in primary care (18,(21)(22)(23). Even though accumulating oral health data is essential to implement national policies for oral health improvement, the oral health information system of Myanmar needs to be advanced in order to gather data on disease prevalence and trends (15,18,21,22).…”

“…Moreover, the majority of dental professionals are more involved in advanced preventive measures than in primary care (18,(21)(22)(23). Even though accumulating oral health data is essential to implement national policies for oral health improvement, the oral health information system of Myanmar needs to be advanced in order to gather data on disease prevalence and trends (15,18,21,22). For effective surveillance, WHO recommends that dental health surveys should be performed regularly every 5 years.…”