The prevalence of caries in groups of children aged 4–5 and 7–8 years in Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Summary. A total of 544 children, 275 pre‐school children (aged 4–5 years) and 269 school children (aged 7–8 years), were examined for dental caries using WHO criteria with some modifications. The children were resident in Khartoum, Sudan. The mean dmft was 1.68 in the 4–5‐year group, and 58% of them were caries‐free. In the 7–8‐year group the mean dmft (molars and canines) was 2.77, and 33% of the children were caries‐free. Most of the caries in both groups was untreated. In decayed teeth which were not beyond repair, occlusal caries was most prevalent in the pre‐school group and approximal caries most prevalent in the school group. The mean DMFT in the 7–8‐year group was 015, and only occlusal surfaces in first molars were affected. Ninety‐four percent in the 7‐year group and 88% in the 8‐year group were caries‐free in the permanent dentition. When the children were grouped according to their socio‐economic level, there were no statistically significant differences in caries prevalence between the groups. Since this is the first comprehensive caries prevalence study of these age groups in Sudan, it is impossible to conclude whether caries is increasing or not. The prevalence of caries‐free preschool children is above the global goal of FDI/WHO for the year 2000, but below the goal for developing countries. Résumé. Un groupe de 544 enfants, dont 275 d'âge pré‐scolaire (4 á 5 ans) et 269 d'âge scolaire (7 à 8 ans) ont été examinés en ce qui concerne les caries dentaires en utilisant les critéres de l'OMS modifiés. Ces enfants habitaient Khartoum (Soudan). L'indice CAO moyen était de 1.68 dans le groupe d'enfants âgés de 4 à 5 ans et 58% d'entre eux étaient indemnes de caries. Dans le groupe d'enfants âgés de 7 à 8 ans, l'indice CAO moyen (molaires et canines) était de 2,77 et 33% d'entre eux étaient indemnes de caries. Dans les deux groupes, la majorité des caries n'était pas traitée. Parmi les dents cariées qu'il était ecore possible de traiter, les plus fréquentes étaient les caries occlusals chez les enfants d'âge préscolaire et les caries proximales chez les enfants d'âge scolaire. L'indice CAO moyen était de 0,15 dans le groupe 7–8 ans et seules les surfaces occlusales des premiéres molaires permanentes étaient cariées, 94% des enfants âgés de 7 ans étaient indemnes de caries en denture permanente et 88% des enfants âgés de 8 ans. Quand les enfants étaient regroupés selon leur milieu socio‐économique, il n'y avaient pas de différence statistiquement significative entre les groupes en ce qui concerne les caries. Cette étude étant la première étude d'ensemble de la fréquence des caries dans ce groupe d'âge au Soudan, il est impossible d'en conclure si les caries sont en augmentation ou non. La fréquance des enfants d'âge préscolaire indemnes de caries est supérieure au but à atteindre fixé par le FDI et l'OMS pour l'an 2000 mais en desssous du but pour les pays en voie de développement. Zusammenfassung. In einer Studie welche 544 Kinder umfasste, wurden 275 im Vorschulater (4–5 Jahre) und 269 im Schulalter (7...

A Study on Nutritional Status and Dental Caries in Permanent Teeth among School Going Girl of Bengalee Population, India

“…The pattern of dental caries in the present sample demonstrated that the prevalence of caries in the posterior teeth overall increased among the underweight and normal girls compared to the anterior teeth. The similar pattern and findings has been found from India (Mahejabeen et al, 2006) and as well as from other parts of the world (Bjarnason et al, 1995;Kerosuo & Honkala, 1991;O'Sullivan & Tinanoff, 1996;Raadal et al, 1993). This study indicates a close relationship between nutritional status and dental caries in this region.…”

Prevalence of dental caries and toothbrushing habits among preschool children in Khartoum State, Sudan

“…The prevalence of dental caries among the preschool children in the present study was high (52.4%) and the mean dmft score was 2.3. A study in Khartoum State, Sudan, only a decade ago reported a much lower dmft score of 1.68 and a more recent 2013 study in the same age group found that it had more than doubled (3.53). Whilst this may be caused by lifestyle and dietary changes, it could also be a result of different sampling criteria.…”

“…In 2003, the prevalence of dental caries in 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children in Khartoum State, Sudan, was 5.5%, with a mean decayed, missing and filled tooth (dmft) score for primary teeth of 1.68. Ten years later, in a study among 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children, a prevalence of dental caries of 65.5% with a mean dmft score of 3.53 and increased prevalence with increasing age was reported.…”

Caries experience and its association with weight status among 8-year-old children in Qingdao, China

“…[14] Furthermore, caries prevalence and dmft value in these 8-year-old children from Qingdao were significantly higher than those reported from other countries such as Sudan. [15] The reason might be the changes in dietary habit that happened during the last decade. Changes in dietary content of the children of Qingdao have been observed in the past few years, with them consuming significantly more desserts than ever before; yet, their oral health is at a low level.…”