Magnitude of dental caries, missing and filled teeth in Malawi: National Oral Health Survey

Abstract

BackgroundOral health problems are significant cause of morbidity particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi, routine health management information system data over the years showed that oral health problems were one of the top ten reasons for outpatient attendance. However, to date, no national oral survey has been carried out to determine the prevalence of oral health problems.MethodsA national population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2013. A total of 130 enumeration areas (EAs) were randomly selected and from each EA, 40 participants were randomly selected as per WHO STEPS survey protocol. Eligible participants were 12, 15, 35–44 and 65–74 year old. A multi-stage sampling design was used to obtain a national representative sample of these age groups. Oral examination was based on WHO diagnostic criteria (2010).ResultsA total of 5400 participants were enrolled in the survey. Of these: 3304 (61.3 %) were females, 2090 (38.7 %) were males; 327 (6.9 %) were from urban and 4386 (93.1 %) from rural areas; 1115 (20.6 %), 993 (17.3 %), 2306 (42.7 %) and 683 (12.6 %) were aged 12, 15, 35–44, 65–74 years respectively. Among 12 year-old, 15 year-old, 35–44 and 65–74 year age groups, prevalence of dental caries was 19.1, 21.9, 49.0 and 49.2 % respectively, overall 37.4 %. Prevalence of missing teeth was 2.7, 5.2, 47.7 and 79.9 %, overall 35.2 %. Prevalence of filled teeth was 0.2 %, 1.3 %, 8.7 %, 12.7 %, overall 6.5 %. Prevalence of bleeding gums was 13.0, 11.8, 30.8 and 36.1 %, overall 23.5 %. Toothache, dental caries and missing teeth were more common in females than males; 46.5 % vs 37.9 %, 40.5 % vs 32.4 %, 37.7 % vs 30.1 % respectively, all p < 0.05. Prevalence of dental caries and missing teeth in urban areas were as high as in the rural areas; 33.3 % vs 37.4 % and 30.9 % vs 33.7 % respectively, all p > 0.05. The mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in 12, 15, 35–44, 65–74 year old was 0.67, 0.71, 3.11 and 6.87 respectively. Self- reported brushing of teeth was poor with only 35.2 % of people brushed their teeth twice a day and tobacco smoking was high, particularly among adult males where one in five (22.9 %) was a smoker.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that oral health problems are major public health problems in Malawi. One in five (21 %) adolescents aged 12–15 years and half (49 %) of adults aged 35 years or more had dental caries, half (48 %) and 80 % of the population aged 35–44, 65–74 years had missing teeth respectively. Toothache, dental caries and missing teeth were more prevalent in females than males and prevalence in urban was as high as in rural areas. Oral hygiene was poor with less than 40 % of the population brush their teeth twice a day and tobacco smoking was high, particularly in men where prevalence was 23 %. These findings could be used to develop evidence-informed national policy, action and resource mobilization plan and community based interventions to reduce the prevalence of oral health problems in Malawi.

Status of dental caries and associated factors in Tibetan adults: findings from the fourth China National Oral Health Survey

“…DMFT index, especially D index, of females was higher than that of males in three age groups. Our observation was consistent with results of other studies in Malawi and northeastern China [38,39], and suggests that females may have encountered severer problems in active caries than males. The observed gender difference may due to earlier eruption of teeth in females, hence longer exposure to the cariogenic oral environment and easier access to food supplies by women and frequent snacking during food preparation.…”

Impact of untreated dental caries on the daily activities of children

“…In addition to the association with daily activities of children, we identified a greater number of untreated dental caries among girls. A higher prevalence of dental caries among girls has been previously registered , including among Brazilian children . In the present study, variables related to sociodemographic characteristics were included only to control for these conditions, allowing for the identification of other associations, independent of these factors.…”

Condition of mineralized tooth tissue in a population of 15-year-old adolescents living in a region of Ukraine with slightly exceeded fluorine concentration in the water

“…The research revealed that caries frequency in the group of 15-year-old adolescents living in the area of Sosnilka was high -86.67%. Studies conducted in Malawi by Msyamboz et al [13] showed that caries frequency was 21.9%, evidently much lower. Similarly, Chinese and Mexican authors observed a considerably lower caries frequency -24.4% [14] and 48.6% [15], respectively.…”