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

Abstract

Background Tibet, a region where average elevation is above 3500 m and socio-economic development is relatively lower, was not included in National Oral Health Survey over decades. The cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the status of dental caries and associated factors in Tibetan adults. Methods Participants aged 35–44, 55–64 and 65–74 years were selected. Decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT), decayed and filled root (DF-Root) and root canal index (RCI) were used to evaluate dental caries. Questionnaire survey on demographic information, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and oral health knowledge and behavior was conducted. Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression were used for the statistical analyses. Results A total of 446 participants were enrolled in the survey. Of these: 222 (49.8%) were females, 224 (50.2%) were males; 149 (33.4%), 151 (33.9%), 146 (32.7%) were aged 35–44, 55–64 and 65–74 years respectively. The mean DMFT (SD) was 7.62 (4.84), 12.46 (8.16), and 21.38 (8.93). The filling rate was very low in all age groups (1.77%, 0.98%, 0.45%). The mean DF-Root (SD) was 0.50 (1.04), 1.04 (2.02), 1.32 (2.14), respectively. Root caries index was 42.27, 44.78 and 57.60%. Older age (65–74 age group) was positively associated with crown caries (odds ratio = 31.20, 95% confidence interval: 10.70–90.96). College degree and above and brushing teeth at least once a day were negatively associated with crown caries (odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.09–0.89; odds ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.72, respectively). Rural area, high income level and brushing teeth at least once a day were negatively and tooth with attachment loss was positively associated with root caries. Conclusions The status of dental caries in the adults in Tibet is severe and the treatment rate is very low. The study suggests a correlation between crown caries and the variables age, level of education and frequency of tooth brushing; correlation between root caries and residence, income level, frequency of tooth brushing and exposed root surfaces. These findings could be as reference to develop community based interventions to reduce the prevalence of caries in Tibet.

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

“…National or regional oral health surveys are seen as increasingly important to assess oral health needs, monitor oral health status including disparities among populations and regions and plan intervention programs and policies at national and local levels. 12 Furthermore, understanding gender disparities in oral health might potentially help facilitate strategies toward sustainable oral health. 13 This is because previous epidemiological and clinical studies have revealed a consistent trend in caries development with females having higher prevalence than males.…”

“…Due to the paucity of nationwide data, oral health information has been limited in Myanmar, representing a challenge for strategic planning, policymaking and effective services. National or regional oral health surveys are seen as increasingly important to assess oral health needs, monitor oral health status including disparities among populations and regions and plan intervention programs and policies at national and local levels 12 . Furthermore, understanding gender disparities in oral health might potentially help facilitate strategies toward sustainable oral health 13 .…”

Effects of altitude on human oral microbes

“…Our study showed that alpha diversity of the oral microbiota decreased with altitude, indicating that a higher prevalence of oral diseases might occur in Tibetans at high altitudes (Guan et al 2020;Hou et al 2014;Wu et al 2020). Some studies have demonstrated that the oral microbiota is consistent with the intestinal microbiota, possibly because most oral bacteria can colonize the intestine (Atarashi et al 2017;Cao 2017;Schmidt et al 2019;Kitamoto et al 2020).…”

Dental Status and Oral Health Behaviors of Selected 45–74-Year-Old Men from Northeastern Poland

“…Publications on the dental status of people aged 45-74 are infrequent, and findings are rarely analyzed by sex. There are several publications in the available literature on the dental condition of middle-aged and elderly men; however, groups of male respondents rarely exceed 200 individuals [15][16][17][18][19]. Su et al [20] evaluated sex differences with regard to oral health and habits in the United States of 4741 subjects (average age was 53.7 years old).…”