Socio–economic and Behavioural Factors Related to Caries in Twelve–Year–Old Sardinian Children

Abstract

Our aim was to describe socio–economic and behavioural factors related to caries experience in school children in Sassari, Sardinia (Italy). Four hundred and three 12–year–old schoolchildren were randomly selected and their teeth clinically examined after air drying, under standard light using a plain mirror and WHO community periodontal index for treatment needs (CPITN) ballpoint probe. The clinical DMFS index was recorded following a diagnostic threshold, CPITN following the WHO indications. A questionnaire concerning oral hygiene habits (OHH), the onset of toothbrushing habits (OTH), frequency of dental check–ups (DCU), sweet food and soft drink consumption and socio–economic background factors, i.e. parents'' occupational status (SOCFAM) and parents'' age, was filled in by children and parent(s)/guardian(s). The caries prevalence was 61.6%. A positive skewness of DMFS was observed. Regarding caries, a significant linear trend (p<0.05) was found among odds ratios at each exposure level in SOCFAM, OHH, OTH and CPITN. A logistic regression model for caries was constructed using related factors. CPITN (gingival conditions) gave a significant contribution in the predictive model (p = 0.01). Gender acted as an effect modifier on CPITN, so logistic regression models were constructed for males and females separately. CPITN was the only statistically significant covariate in males and OHH the only one in females. Our results confirm a high caries prevalence and also a need for preventive and educational programmes for caries in Sardinia.

Risk/Prevention Indicators for the Prevalence of Dental Caries in Schoolchildren: Results from the Italian OHSAR Survey

“…Indeed, dfs in these age groups of children is reported here for the first time in any Italian sample. The %DMFT 61, DMFT and DMFS values obtained from the present survey are not directly comparable with previous data because of the different study ages included in other reports [Angellillo et al, 1998;Campus et al, 2001;Marthaler et al, 1996]. In one previous survey [Angellillo et al, 1999], DMFT of children living in a low fluoride concentration area of Italy was 1.9 B 2.2; however, this index was recorded for an age range (11-13 years), rather than for a specific age.…”

“…In Italy, the substantial lack of collective preventive measures against dental caries in schoolchildren appears to be related to the lack of comprehensive epidemiological data. Indeed, only relatively few studies have been performed in Italian schoolchildren to date [Angelillo et al, 1998[Angelillo et al, , 1999Bolin et al, 1997;Campus et al, 2000Campus et al, , 2001. Moreover, these studies focused on a limited number of subjects and risk/prevention indicators, and in some cases, contrasting results were reported.…”

Fluoride Concentration in Saliva after Use of Oral Hygiene Products

“…The changes in the mean caries index since the early 1970s are impressive [for reviews see Holst et al, 1997;Angelillo et al, 1998;Featherstone, 1999;Campus et al, 2001] and, in this context, fluoride plays a major role [Clarkson and McLoughlin, 2000;Brambilla, 2001] by way of three mechanisms. Fluoride inhibits demineralization when present in the liquid phase, enhances remineralization [for review see ten Cate, 1999], and inhibits plaque bacteria [Featherstone, 1999].…”

Mejora en los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas a través de una intervención en salud oral basada en comunidad

“…Aunque las inequidades en salud existentes entre niveles socio-econó-micos y grupos étnicos sólo pueden ser reducidas a través de mejoras significativas en las condiciones sociales y en el entorno físico de la población (2,11,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23), la implementación de intervenciones por parte de los servicios locales de salud puede ayudar activamente a reducirlas (24,25).…”