Oral health status of students with visual or hearing impairments in Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: Visual or hearing impairments in students seriously affect their quality of life. The aim of this study was to identify oral hygiene status and its influencing factors on visual or hearing impairments in students in Northeast China. METHODS: This study was conducted in May 2022. A total of 118 visually impaired students and 56 hearing impaired students from Northeast China were included in this study via census. Oral examinations and questionnaire-based surveys of students and their teachers were conducted. The oral examinations included caries experience, prevalence of gingival bleeding and dental calculus. The questionnaires included three parts: Social demographics (residence, sex and race) and parents' educational level; Oral hygiene habits and medical treatment behaviors; Knowledge and attitudes towards oral health care. This questionnaire was selected from the Fourth China National Oral Health Survey and the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were previously tested. T tests, one-way ANOVA, χ2 tests and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to evaluate the differences and dependent variables of dental caries. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries in visually impaired and hearing impaired students were 66.10% and 66.07%. The mean number of DMFT, prevalence of gingival bleeding and dental calculus in visually impaired students were 2.71 ± 3.06, 52.08% and 59.38%, respectively. The mean number of DMFT, prevalence of gingival bleeding and dental calculus in hearing impaired students were 2.57 ± 2.83, 17.86% and 42.86%, respectively. The results of the multivariate logistic analysis showed that fluoride use and parents' educational background had an impact on the caries experience of visually impaired students. The daily toothbrushing frequency and parents' educational background had an impact on the caries experience of hearing impaired students. CONCLUSIONS: The oral health situation of students with visual or hearing impairments remains severe. It is still necessary to promote oral and general health in this population.

Oral health status among visually impaired schoolchildren in Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment is an important disability affecting a substantial proportion of people globally. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of visually impaired schoolchildren in northeast China, and to investigate the influencing factors. METHODS: The study was performed in 2015, according to the criteria and methods used in the Third National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey in China. One hundred and three visually impaired schoolchildren from the only special school for the blind in northeast China were included in the study. Oral examinations were performed to assess the caries of deciduous and permanent teeth, periodontal disease, malocclusion. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to investigate oral health-related behaviors, knowledge and attitude about oral care. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of caries was 78.64%, and mean number of caries was 2.43 ± 2.75. The prevalence of caries in deciduous and permanent teeth was 65.22 and 71.84%, respectively. The rates of gingival bleeding and dental calculus were 44.66 and 67.96%, respectively. Malocclusion was observed in 49.51% of the children with visual impairment. The prevalence of caries was significantly higher in girls than boys (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis identified the knowledge level of parents and the toothache experience as risk factors for oral health, while the daily use of fluoride toothpaste could reduce the caries incidence. CONCLUSIONS: This group of visually impaired schoolchildren exhibited a high prevalence of dental caries, poor periodontal health, and severe malocclusion. Oral health status is relatively poor among visually impaired schoolchildren in northeast China. Factors that significantly affected the prevalence of dental caries included education level of the mother, experience of toothache, and use of fluoride toothpaste.

Advances in epidemiological status and pathogenesis of dental fluorosis.

Fluoride is commonly consider as a "double-edged sword" because low consumption of fluoride can effectively prevent dental caries, but excessive consumption of fluoride can cause fluorosis. Dental fluorosis (DF) is a characteristic feature of fluorosis in the oral cavity that is manifested as tooth color changes and evident enamel defect. Presently, the pathogenesis of DF remains unclear. Herein, we have summarized the research progress in the pathogenesis and mechanism of DF in the past 5 years.

Oral health status and knowledge of only and non-only children in China.

Objectives To evaluate the oral health status and knowledge of only children (OC) and non-only children (NOC), and to explore potential reasons for the differences.Materials and methods This cross-sectional sampling survey included 3,731 children between the ages of 12 and 15 years. The oral health of the subjects was examined, according to the Basic Methods of Oral Health Survey (fifth edition) recommended by the World Health Organisation, and their eating habits, oral health knowledge and oral habits were recorded. EpiData software was used to input data, and SPSS version 19.0 software was used for analysis and comparison.Results The incidence of dental caries and the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) in OC (53.2% and 1.53, respectively) were significantly lower than those in NOC (56.2% and 1.86, respectively) (P <0.05). These values were highest in female NOC (63.7%). Gingival bleeding in NOC (78.9%) was significantly higher than that in OC (74.1%) and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). The pit and fissure sealant rate of the OC (17.9%) was better than that of the NOC (11.0%), and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the oral health attitudes between the two groups, while the scores of the OC were higher than that of the NOC on eight questions of oral health knowledge and awareness, with statistically significant differences for five of the questions (P <0.05). In terms of oral behavioural habits and related factors, the OC scored better than the NOC.Conclusions Our results show that the oral health status of NOC, especially female children, is worrying. When formulating health-related policies, it is necessary to consider these inequalities in adolescents and to provide more resources to the relatively vulnerable adolescents.

Prevalence and factors contributing to dental caries in 12-15-year-old school adolescents in northeast China.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to dental caries in 12-15-year-old adolescents in northeast China to provide information for dental caries promotion programmes. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional survey including caries examination and questionnaire was performed in Liaoning province, China. 3731 12-15-year-old school adolescents participated in the survey. School adolescents were randomly selected and received a clinical oral examination and completed questionnaires that assessed their oral health-related behaviours and attitudes. RESULTS: Overall, 3731 12-15-year-old school adolescents participated in the survey. The prevalence of dental caries in these adolescents was 53.65%, and the mean number of decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) in the adolescents was 1.64±2.38 in northeast China, which was higher than the mean in China as a whole. A remarkable difference in DMFTwas exhibited between age groups, region and gender (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, region, gender and father' education were related to the occurrence of caries in these adolescents. CONCLUSION: The 12-15-year-old school adolescents assessed exhibited a high prevalence of dental caries and low awareness of oral health. It is critical to protect permanent teeth, and oral and dental health education and promotion should be more comprehensively integrated into school courses for these adolescents.

The Prevalence of Dental Caries in Primary Dentition in 3- to 5-Year-Old Preschool Children in Northern China.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and factors promoting caries in primary dentition of 3-5-year-old children in Northeast China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 1,229 children aged 3 to 5 years were randomly selected. The caries prevalence and other indicators were assessed, and the results analyzed by SPSS. A questionnaire was also given to the children's guardians to ascertain the potential risk factors associated with caries. RESULTS: The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index in children aged 3, 4, and 5 years old was 3.17, 5.13, and 6.07, respectively, while the caries prevalence rate was 62.16%, 75.89%, and 87.28% accordingly. The incidence of caries among rural children was higher than that in urban areas. Regarding oral health awareness, it was found that parents in urban areas had more accurate perceptions of oral health problems. It was also noted that the children's brushing habits were worrying. Family economic and medical resources are not the main causes of serious dental caries in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The oral health status of children aged 3-5 years is not optimistic. Many parents have a low awareness of oral health. Strengthening the promotion of oral health knowledge is an effective way to change the situation.

[Investigation of dental manpower in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province].

PURPOSE: To investigate the non-public oral medical institutions in Liaoning province in 2011, and to analyze the status of dental manpower in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province. METHODS: A mass survey on dental manpower was made in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province in 2011 by means of questionnaire investigation, which included the institution type, dental devices, and the number, structure, composition, distribution of dental manpower in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province. Data was entered with EpiData 3.0 and analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: There were 1649 non-public dental institutions with 3132 dentists, 1265 nurses, 540 technicians and 3490 dental chairs in Liaoning province. 85.69% of the dental manpower were young and middle-aged. 33.17% of the dentists had primary professional titles, 42.53% of them had college degree and 87.96% of the dentists was general dentistry. In the dental auxiliaries, the primary professional title accounted for the majority. 95.97% of the nurses majored in general dentistry and 60.40% of the nurses' educational background were below junior college degree. 72.59% of the technicians majored in prosthetic dentistry and 67.78% of their educational background were below junior college degree. The ratio of the dentists to nurses to technicians was 6:2:1. The ratio of the nurses to dental chairs was 1:2.76. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution and composition of dental manpower are not reasonable in non-public dental institutions in Liaoning province. We should strengthen effective utilization of oral health resources and the oral health service ability of non -public dental institutions in Liaoning province. Supported by Key Science and Technology Projects of Liaoning Province (2012225015).

[Investigation of the medical institutions of stomatology and dental manpower distribution in Liaoning province].

PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to determine and analyze the distribution of the medical institutions of stomatology and dental manpower in Liaoning province. METHODS: The data of institutions and manpower was collected by mass examination using tables filled by every institution and personally. Epidata 3.02 database was used to input the data and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS12.0 software package. RESULTS: The results showed that there were 2155 dental institutions and 5617 dentists in Liaoning province. Among all the institutes, 71.0% was private clinics. About 80.5% of institutions and 87.8% of dentists were in the urban area, which was significantly higher than the percent of dentists working in the rural area. The ratio between dentists and the general population was about 13.02/10 million. There were fewer dental auxiliary in dental institutions, the ratio between dentists, nurses and dental technician was 6:2:1. The title and degree of the dentists in the rural area were lower than those in urban area, but the dentists in the rural area provided service for a large population. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the distribution of oral health resource in Liaoning province should be rationally readjusted, and continuing education and training should be strengthened in order to improve the efficiency of oral health service and social health justice. Supported by Key Medical Professional Construction Project of Liaoning Province (Grant No.200809).

[Difference between dental caries and oral health behavior of family in primary dentition].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dental caries status in the primary dentition of 5-year-old children and analyze the difference of oral health behavior of family between urban and rural in Liaoning province. METHODS: The representative samples were selected by multi-stage, stratified and random sampling from Liaoning province. Dental caries of 792 children at five years were recorded according to World Health Organization criteria. The questionnaries were finished by 396 parents of the children and analyzed the oral health behavior of family in urban and rural by chi-squre test. RESULTS: The prevalence and dmft of dental caries of 5-year-old children in Liaoning province was 73.86% and 4.38, respectively. The prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old children was 64.14% in urban and 83.59% in rural. There was significant difference on the consumption of sweets, chocolate, water with sugar and beverage between the children in urban and rural. More urban children had good toothbrushing behavior such as the time of beginning brush tooth, the frequency of brushing and daily use of fluoridated toothpaste compared with the rural children. The parents in urban had high level of education and incomes and there were more children in urban have regular dental visit pattern than in rural. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that there is an urgent need for the implementation of a systematic education on oral health behavior of family on rural children in Liaoning province.

[The prevalence and trends of caries in Liaoning province].

PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to analyse the dental caries prevalence, patterns and trends of all age groups in Liaoning province. METHODS: The representative samples were selected by multi-stage, stratified and random sampling, which included subjects aged 5,12,35-44 and 65-74 years. Clinical examination was based on WHO methodology(4th Ed). Student's t test and Chi-square test were applied for statistical evaluation of the mean caries experience(DMFT/dmft) and the prevalence proportion rates of dental caries (PP) between 1995 and 2005 using SPSS 12.0 software package. RESULTS: At age 5,12,35-44, the PP was 73.86%,30.05% and 63.89% respectively,which was lower than in 1995, the number being 89.49%, 59.19% and 70.26%. However, at 65-74 years, the PP was 67.40% in 2005, and there was no significant difference compared with 1995. For the two national survey, the PP and DMFT were higher in urban than in rural area. But the dmft in 5-year-old in urban was lower than in rural in 2005. CONCLUSIONS: The trend of dental caries in children and adults was declined in 2005, but it was still higher. It is essential to strengthen oral health education and promotion and continuously implement preventive oral care technique in Liaoning province.