Scoping review on the link between economic growth, decent work, and early childhood caries.

BACKGROUND: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a prevalent chronic non-communicable disease that affects millions of young children globally, with profound implications for their well-being and oral health. This paper explores the associations between ECC and the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). METHODS: The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. In July 2023, a search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using tailored search terms related to economic growth, decent work sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and efforts to eradicate forced labor, slavery, and human trafficking and ECC all of which are the targets of the SDG8. Only English language publications, and publications that were analytical in design were included. Studies that solely examined ECC prevalence without reference to SDG8 goals were excluded. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 761 articles. After removing duplicates and ineligible manuscripts, 84 were screened. However, none of the identified studies provided data on the association between decent work, economic growth-related factors, and ECC. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review found no English publication on the associations between SDG8 and ECC despite the plausibility for this link. This data gap can hinder policymaking and resource allocation for oral health programs. Further research should explore the complex relationship between economic growth, decent work and ECC to provide additional evidence for better policy formulation and ECC control globally.

Accuracy of Two Visual Criteria for the Assessment of Caries around Restorations: A Delayed-Type Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two visual criteria used for the detection of caries around restorations in permanent teeth. In this delayed-type cross-sectional study, the study sample was randomly allocated to one of two visual criteria for the assessment of restorations as follows: (a) International Dental Federation (FDI) criteria, considers marginal staining, marginal adaptation, and caries recurrence and (b) Caries Associated with Restorations or Sealants (CARS) criteria, defined by the International Caries Classification and Management System. A calibrated examiner assessed the restorations using two reference standards as follows: (i) for restorations requiring operative interventions (repair/replacement), the restoration was partially or totally removed and the presence or absence of carious tissue was assessed; and (ii) for restorations requiring nonoperative intervention, follow-up for a period of 1 year was recommended to allow identification of the presence of new lesions not detected at baseline. The sensitivity, specificity, area under receiver operating characteristic curve (Az), and accuracy of the criteria were assessed. The study included 305 restorations. The FDI marginal staining parameter had the lowest Az value (Az = 0.501), while similar sensitivity was observed between the CARS (62.0%), FDI presence of caries (65.0%), and FDI marginal adaptation (74.0%) parameters. CARS exhibited the highest specificity (88.3%) and accuracy (85.6%). The CARS criteria exhibited better specificity and accuracy in detecting caries around restorations, followed by the FDI criteria for caries recurrence and marginal adaptation. Considering marginal staining or combining multiple marginal features to assess secondary caries resulted in an increased risk of false-positive outcomes and overtreatment.

Assessment of the oral health status of children with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: There are various oral symptoms related to the disease and its management in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study was to investigate the oral health status of children with different stages of CKD, kidney transplant recipients (KTR), and healthy children. METHODS: A total of seventy-one children diagnosed with CKD and fifty-two healthy children were included in the study. Each patient was examined for dental caries by the decayed-missing-filled-teeth (DMFT/dmft) index and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II), developmental defects of enamel (DDE) by the DDE index, and oral hygiene by the debris (DI), calculus (CI), and simplified oral hygiene (OHI-S) indices. RESULTS: The median number of DMFT/dmft was 1.00 (interquartile range (IQR):1.00-4.00) in children with stage 1-3 CKD, 0.00 (IQR: 0.00-2.50) in stage 4-5 children, 0.00 (IQR: 1.00-3.00) in KTR, and 8.00 (IQR: 1.00-13.00) in healthy children. According to ICDAS-II categories, the percentage of children with severe caries was 53.8% in healthy children, while it was 44.4% in KTR, 25.9% in stage 1-3, and 11.4% in stage 4-5 children. While the percentage of children with DDE was 88.8% in KTR, 80% in stage 4-5, and 66.7% in stage 1-3 children, this rate was 44.2% in healthy children. The highest mean OHI-S score was observed in stage 4-5 children (2.10 ± 1.08), followed by KTR (1.46 ± 1.19), stage 1-3 (1.27 ± 0.61), and healthy children (0.45 ± 0.44), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to healthy children, children with CKD had more debris accumulation, calculus formation, and more DDE but a lower severity of dental caries. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Caries risk assessment-related knowledge, attitude, and behaviors among Chinese dentists: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate caries risk assessment (CRA)-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dentists in China, to describe their subjective ratings of the significance of specific caries risk factors and to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge, attitudes, and use of CRA in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous online questionnaire survey was performed. The questionnaire was distributed via WeChat (Tencent, Shenzhen, China) to practicing dentists between November 25 and December 25, 2021. For participant recruitment, we employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected using a specialized web-based survey tool ( www.wjx.cn ) and analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 826 valid questionnaires were collected. Only 292 (35.4%) respondents used CRA in routine practice, among whom a majority (243, 83.2%) did not use a specific CRA tool. The routine use of CRA was associated with the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures, the habit of reading caries-related literature, geographic location, and the total knowledge score. The mean total knowledge score was 3.13 (score range: 0 to 6). Knowledge levels were related to several sociodemographic characteristics, including geographic location, the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures and the habit of reading caries-related literature. The risk factor deemed most important was "current oral hygiene." CONCLUSIONS: Caries risk assessment has not widely entered clinical practice in China. The level of CRA-related knowledge among dentists was generally suboptimal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strengthening CRA-related education may allow practitioners to develop a better understanding of caries risk assessment and hence promote its implementation.

Assessment of oral hygiene maintenance in 12-18-year-old children and teenagers with fixed orthodontic appliances.

BACKGROUND: Good oral hygiene is very important to ensure successful orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatments may cause plaque accumulation and in this way the development of caries and periodontal diseases which are basically caused by dental plaque. The aim of this study was to compare the features of oral hygiene among different age groups and genders in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involves 118 patients aged 12 to 18 (64 males (54.2%) and 54 females (45.8%)) with fixed orthodontic appliances from the Department of Orthodontics at Danylo Halytskiy Lviv National Medical University. The patients completed the questionnaires which included 19 questions about their oral hygiene. RESULTS: It was revealed that 59 females (92.19±3.35%) believe that oral hygiene is important, but among the males number of such persons have been significantly lower - 41 (75.93±5.82%), p<0.05. Statistically significant result was obtained showing that females (46 patients (71.88±5.62%) use interdental brushes more regular (every day) than males (26 (48.15±6.80%), p<0.05. Comparing the differences between the regularity of teeth brushing in different age groups showed that 53 patients (82.81±4.72%) aged 12 to 15 and 46 (85.19±4.83%) aged 16 to 18 claimed that they brush their teeth regularly, twice a day, 8 (12.50±4.13%) and 6 (11.11±4.28%), respectively - once a day. CONCLUSION: In patients with fixed orthodontic appliances oral hygiene of 16-18-year-old respondents is better than the oral hygiene of 12-15-year-old ones.

Fatores comportamentais e socioeconômicos são fortes preditores de cárie dentária em pré- escolares: um estudo transversal / Behavioral and socioeconomic factors are strong predictors of dental caries in preschoolers: a cross-sectional study

Avaliaram-se possíveis preditores para a cárie dentária em pré-escolares sem experiência odontológica prévia, que buscaram a clínica de odontopediatria de uma universidade pública. Analisaram-se 191 prontuários, dos quais 87 foram incluídos. Coletaram-se dados demográficos, socioeconômicos, histórico de cárie da mãe, orientação prévia sobre cárie, frequência de escovação, uso de dentifrício fluoretado, consumo de doces/biscoitos e/ou líquidos açucarados, ceo-d e a presença ou ausência de defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte. Análises descritivas e de regressão logística binária foram realizadas para investigar quais variáveis prediziam um ceod>0. O modelo múltiplo incluiu consumo de doces/biscoitos, dados socioeconômicos, histórico de cárie na mãe e orientação prévia sobre cárie. Das crianças (2,69±1,18 anos), a maioria (67,8%) apresentava ceod>0 (3,78±3,82), sendo 50,6% meninas e 73,3% da classe baixa. A maioria (56,5%) das mães tinha 12 anos de estudos completos, histórico de cárie (78,6%) e receberam orientação prévia sobre cárie (52,9%). A maior parte (80,6%) escova os dentes pelo menos 2 vezes ao dia, utiliza dentifrício fluoretado (75,9%) e consome líquidos açucarados (90,8%), além de doces/biscoitos (86,9%) entre as refeições. Pertencer à classe baixa aumentou em 7 vezes a chance de ceod>0 (OR=7,354; IC 95%=1,951-27,723), histórico de cárie na mãe em 4 vezes (OR=4,131; IC 95%=1,042-16,369) e consumo de doces/biscoitos em quase 2 vezes (OR=1,786; IC 95%=1,072-2,976). Classe econômica baixa, histórico de cárie da mãe e consumo de doces/biscoitos entre as refeições mostraram-se fatores associados ao ceod>0 nos pacientes sem experiência prévia odontológica de uma clínica de odontopediatria de uma universidade pública.

Possible predictors of dental caries in preschool children without previous dental experience, who sought a pediatric dentistry clinic at a public university, were evaluated. Medical records (n=191) were analyzed; 87 were included. Demographic, socioeconomic data, mother's history of caries, previous orientation on caries, brushing frequency, use of fluoridated toothpaste, consumption of sweets/cookies and/or sugary liquids, dmft and the presence or absence of enamel development defects were collected. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyzes were performed to investigate which variables predicted a dmft>0. The multiple model included consumption of sweets/cookies, socioeconomic data, mother's history of caries and previous orientation on caries. Of the children (2.69±1.18 years), most (67.8%) had dmft>0 (3.78±3.82), with 50.6% girls and 73.3% from the lower class. Most mothers had completed 12 years of schooling (56.5%), reported history of caries (78.6%) and received previous orientation on caries (52.9%). Most of children brush their teeth at least twice a day (80.6%), use fluoridated toothpaste (75.9%) and consume sugary liquids (90.8%), in addition to consumption of sweets/cookies (86 .9%) among the meals. Belonging to the lower class increased the chance of having dmft>0 by 7 times (OR=7,354; 95% CI=1,951-27,723), mother's history of caries by 4 times (OR=4,131;95% CI=1,042-16,369) and consumption of sweets/cookies by almost twice (OR=1,786;95% CI=1,072-2,976). Low economic class, mother's history of caries and consumption of sweets/cookies between meals were factors associated with dmft>0 in the patients without previous dental experience in a pediatric dentistry clinic at a public university.

Maternal and infant risk factors and risk indicators associated with early childhood caries in South Africa: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk factors and risk indicators associated with early childhood caries in South Africa. DESIGN: A systematic review of aetiology was performed. From 1366 papers found, 23 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. All study designs were included. Healthy children under six who live in South Africa were eligible for the study. The study was registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD42020216455. DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible studies were selected, and data extracted independently by two reviewers. Published data on socio-economic status, dietary factors, oral hygiene knowledge and practices, breastfeeding and bottle-feeding practices, oral bacterial flora and other risk indicators were collected. Two authors appraised the studies independently using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal tools. DATA ANALYSIS: Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics, and due to heterogeneity, extracted data were mostly presented narratively. RESULTS: Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models and concluded that parents of children who had a tertiary education had a 1.77 [1.22-2.57] odds of experiencing dental caries compared to the children of parents with a secondary education. However, the unclear risk of bias of most included cross-sectional studies precluded definitive conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: More high-quality cohort studies need to be performed to evaluate actual risk factors for ECC in a South African setting. Parental/caregiver oral educational knowledge needs promoting before the emergence of their children's teeth. The social determinants of health need to be incorporated in future studies, and suitable targeted interventions need to be developed and implemented to mitigate early childhood caries in South Africa.

Cárie na primeira infância: um problema de saúde pública global e suas consequências à saúde da criança / Caries in early childhood: a global public health problem and its consequences to children's health

Esse estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão de literatura para apresentar os efeitos da doença cárie em crianças e ressaltar a importância do acompanhamento familiar. Foram selecionados artigos de 2011-2021, publicados nas bases de dados PubMed e SciELO utilizando os descritores: Doença cárie, Prevenção, Odontopediatria, foram incluídos artigos que estavam disponíveis na íntegra em português e inglês. A cárie dental continua a ser um problema de saúde pública, com maior prevalência em crianças e caracterizada por ser uma doença de etiologia multifatorial, biofilme-açúcar dependente não transmissível. A cárie de primeira infância (CPI) é capaz de afetar negativamente a qualidade de vida, por se apresentar como rápido desgaste da estrutura dental e presença de sintomatologia dolorosa. Isso pode resultar em um quadro de perda precoce, má oclusão, prejudicando a mastigação, dentição permanente, sono, rendimento escolar, favorecendo a desnutrição e afetando desenvolvimento. A Declaração de Bangkok recomenda aumento de conscientização sobre essa doença através da educação dos pais, limitação na ingestão de açúcar até os 2 anos de idade e escovação dos dentes de pelo menos 2x/ dia com dentifrício fluoretado. Diante do exposto, se torna essencial o acompanhamento da saúde odontológica da criança desde a erupção do primeiro dente na cavidade bucal, visando reduzir a CPI e contribuir para uma melhor qualidade de vida.

This study aims to carry out a literature review to present the effects of caries disease in children and emphasize the importance of family monitoring. Articles from 2011-2021 were selected, published in the PubMed and SciELO databases using the descriptors: Caries Disease, Prevention, Pediatric Dentistry, articles that were available in full in Portuguese and English were included. Dental caries continues to be a public health problem, with greater prevalence in children and characterized by being a disease of multifactorial etiology, non-transmissible biofilm-sugar dependent. Early childhood caries (CPI) is capable of negatively affecting the quality of life, as it presents itself as a rapid wear of the tooth structure and the presence of painful symptoms. This can result in early loss, malocclusion, impairing chewing, permanent dentition, sleep, school performance, favoring malnutrition and affecting development. The Bangkok Declaration recommends raising awareness of this disease through parent education, limiting sugar intake until age 2, and brushing teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Given the above, it is essential to monitor the child's dental health from the eruption of the first tooth in the oral cavity, in order to reduce CPI and contribute to a better quality of life.

Pathways in the association between added sugar consumption, obesity in mother-child dyads, and chronic oral disease burden in early childhood.

In this study, we modeled the pathways in the association of socioeconomic status, frequency of added sugar consumption, and obesity in mother-child dyads with chronic oral disease burden in early childhood using structural equation modeling. A population-based study was conducted on preschoolers from public daycare centers in São Luís, Brazil (n = 674) and their mothers. Chronic oral disease burden in early childhood was a latent variable, representing the shared variance of the following indicators: visible plaque index, gingivitis, and dental caries. A higher consumption frequency of added sugars by children [standardized regression coefficient (SC) = 0.219] explained the chronic oral disease burden. A higher consumption frequency of added sugars by mothers was associated with greater consumption of sugar by children (SC = 0.236), and indirectly with a greater chronic oral disease burden (SC = 0.052). Maternal obesity was associated with obesity in the offspring (SC = 0.130). The chronic oral disease burden is already present in early childhood and can be explained by the higher consumption of added sugars by the mother-child dyad. Approaches to preventing chronic oral diseases should focus on common risk factors, start early in life, and promote family involvement in this process.

Modelling the impact of increase in sugar prices on dental caries in India.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the impact of raising the price of sugar and/or sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on caries incidence in the Indian population. METHODS: A tooth-level decision-analytic model was developed to evaluate a change in caries increment after increasing the price of Sugar and SSBs. The transition of a tooth from a caries-free state to the state of tooth loss in both scenarios was modelled with the help of a Markov model for a time horizon of 63 years, ranging from 2021 to 2083 for the 12-year-old population cohort of India. A conceptual framework was designed to implicate the possible effects of an increase in sugar prices on the reduction of caries incidence. Health effects were estimated in terms of the number of carious lesions and tooth-loss in both the scenarios and modelled as a product of the dose-response relationship between sugar intake and caries incidence. The model was thus used to establish the number of caries lesions prevented, and tooth-loss avoided. Uncertainties in the parameters were assessed using probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The Monte Carlo method was used for simulating the results 999 times. RESULTS: A 20% rise in the price of sugar is expected to result in the prevention of an average of 1.32 teeth in a lifetime of an individual and prevent 27.96 million tooth-loss incidents among the population cohort of India that will eventually lead to a saving of INR (₹) 3116.32 billion (US$ 42.69 billion) on account of dental caries treatment. Similarly, increasing-price of SSBs by 20% will lead to a 0.86% reduction in carious teeth incidence in an individual's lifetime. CONCLUSION: Increasing the cost of sugar and/or SSBs will reduce the daily intake of sugar, which will reduce caries incidence and subsequent progression, thereby preventing caries-attributed tooth-loss and saving treatment costs.

Socio-Economic Status May Associate Different Risk(s) with Early Childhood Caries (ECC) That Can Cause the Development of Psychomotor Deficiency in Preschool Children Aged 3-6 Years Old: The Results of Preliminary Analysis from a Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We have recently shown that there is a positive correlation between severe caries and developing psychomotor deficiency in preschool children. To fully re-assess such a relationship, we embarked on a 3-year longitudinal follow-up study of kindergarteners, where we aimed to: (i) confirm whether early childhood caries is causally related to the development of psychomotor deficiency as proposed, and (ii) address any significant role or contribution of socio-economic status associated with caries-psychomotor interactions in the preschooler family cohorts studied, over time. METHODS: A longitudinal study was designed where the total sum of 159 kindergarteners aged 3-6 from the central and southern regions of Taiwan were randomly selected and recruited for clinical examination of caries, together with questionnaires for personal, demographic and dietary information, socio-economic status, and the children's psychomotor development scales which were collected and analyzed over time. Student's t test, chi-squared test, correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis with R2 determinants were employed to assess any attributable differences (of 0~1) between SES vs. psychomotor manifests and caries measured among all variables computed. RESULTS: The results of our preliminary analyses show that: (i) there was likely a causal relationship between caries activities and aspects of general development scale via the Chinese Child Development Inventory over time (4.01 ± 3.47 vs. 5.88 ± 2.58, respectively) in the 3-6-year-old preschoolers, and (ii) there was significantly more attributable influence (via higher R-squared values) from SES and psychomotor manifests than that of caries and the Chinese Child Development Inventory counterparts, as detected over time. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the resulting analyses support our previous findings and confirm that there is likely a causal relationship between severe caries and psychomotor deficiency in growing preschoolers; the resulting analyses revealed that such causally related interactions may be attributably explainable by a content-reliant association via socio-economic status analyzed in the kindergartener family cohorts studied. Thus, the socio-economic status or its constituents/factors will have a much broader influence not only associated with developing early childhood caries (a biologic trait), but also for psychomotor deficiency (a social trait) in vulnerable children at risk.

Dental Outcomes After Medicaid Insurance Coverage Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act.

Importance: Dental coverage for adults is a state option in Medicaid, and despite significant gains in coverage after the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), dental outcomes among adults in expansion states remain unexplored. Objective: To explore the association of state coverage of dental benefits through Medicaid expansion with clinical dental outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2018. Included participants were low-income adults aged 19 to 64 years with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. The study used a difference-in-differences analysis to compare changes from before to after ACA expansion in expansion states vs in control states. Changes were examined in the full sample and separately in states that did and did not provide Medicaid adult dental benefits. We defined a state as providing Medicaid adult dental benefits if it covered services beyond emergency dental benefits in 2014. Data were analyzed from November 2020 to March 2021. Exposures: Medicaid expansion under the ACA. Main Outcomes and Measures: Rates of health coverage, having a dental visit, affordability of dental care in the past year, poor oral health, and teeth flossing were obtained from self-reported data. Mean number of missing teeth and prevalence of untreated decayed teeth, filled teeth, and functional dentition were obtained from clinical examination data. Results: Among 7637 low-income adults, the mean (SD) age was 37.8 (13.4) years and 4153 (weighted percentage, 54.5 %) were women. At baseline, 1732 low-income adults in nonexpansion states compared with 2520 low-income adults in expansion states were more likely, as shown by weighted percentage, to be Black (473 individuals [21.0%] vs 508 individuals [15.1%]) and US born (1281 individuals [76.7%] vs 1613 individuals [69.6%]). In the full sample, Medicaid expansion, compared with nonexpansion, was associated with an increased rate of seeing a dentist in the prior year (12.4 percentage points; 95% CI 4.6 to 20.2 percentage points; P = .003). In expansion states that provided dental benefits, compared with nonexpansion states that provided dental benefits, the expansion was associated with increases in rates of Medicaid coverage (8.2 percentage points; 95%CI 0.5 to 15.8 percentage points; P = .04) and having seen a dentist in the previous year (11.4 percentage points, 95% CI, 3.7 to 19.1 percentage points; P = .006) and decreases in the uninsured rate (-12.6 percentage points, 95% CI -18.9 to -6.4 percentage points; P < .001) and prevalence of untreated decayed teeth (-16.8 percentage points; 95% CI, -25.5 to -8.0 percentage points; P = .001). In states without Medicaid dental benefits, the expansion was associated with an increase in the mean number of missing teeth (1.3 teeth; 95% CI 0.1 to 2.5 percentage points; P = .04) and a decrease in the prevalence of functional dentition (-8.7 percentage points; 95% CI, -14.1 to -3.3 percentage points; P = .003) compared with nonexpansion states. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that the combination of Medicaid expansion and coverage of Medicaid dental benefits was associated with improved oral health among low-income adults.

A Formative Assessment of Social Determinants of Health Related to Early Childhood Caries in Two American Indian Communities.

In the United States, children from diverse ethnic groups and those with low socioeconomic status are at a significantly increased risk for early childhood caries. Despite the efforts focused on decreasing early childhood caries in American Indian (AI) populations, these children have the highest incidence of dental caries of any ethnic group, with four times the cases of untreated dental caries compared to white children. This qualitative formative assessment was conducted in two AI communities. Semi-structured interviews (n = 57) were conducted with caregivers and providers to understand the social and community contexts in which oral health behaviors and practices occur from the perspective of the caregivers, oral health care providers, and social service providers in the communities. The analysis was informed by the social determinants of health framework. The key social determinants of pediatric oral health relevant to our study communities included limited access to: oral health promoting nutritious foods, transportation for oral health appointments, and pediatric specialty care. This formative assessment provided locally and contextually relevant information to shape the development of an oral health clinical trial intervention to address early childhood caries in these two communities.

Iniquidades socioeconômicas na saúde bucal de estudantes universitários do sul do Brasil / Socioeconomic inequities in the oral health of university students in southern Brazi

Objetivo: Identificar a magnitude da associação entre experiência de cárie dentária e autopercepção negativa de saúde bucal com determinantes socioeconômicos. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com dados de uma coorte prospectiva com os universitários ingressantes na Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) no ano de 2016. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário autoaplicável, incluindo características demográficas, socioeconômicas e psicossociais. Os desfechos do presente estudo foram a experiência de cárie autorrelatada (histórico de doença cárie) e autopercepção de saúde bucal (positiva versus negativa). Resultados: Um total de 3.237 alunos ingressou, dos quais 2.089 (64,5%) concordaram em participar do estudo. O modelo de regressão de Poisson mostrou que universitários com renda familiar de R$ 1001,00 a 5000,00 e R$ 5001,00 ou mais apresentaram, respectivamente, uma razão de prevalência (RP) 14% (RP = 0,86; IC95% 0,80-0,92) e 18% (RP = 0,82; IC95% 0,74 a 0,90) menor de experiência de cárie, assim como indivíduos cujas mães tinham ensino médio completo apresentaram uma prevalência 14% menor (RP = 0,86; IC95% 0,80 a 0,92) e ensino superior completo 19% (RP = 0,81; IC95% 0,75 a 0,87) menor de experiência de cárie, quando comparados aos grupos de referência. Na autopercepção de saúde bucal, os resultados para renda familiar de R$1001 a 5000,00 e R$ 5001 ou mais apresentaram, respectivamente, uma prevalência 23% (RP = 0,77; IC95% 0,64 a 0,91) e 43% (RP = 0,57; IC95% 0,45 a 0,72) menor de ter autopercepção de saúde bucal negativa e indivíduos cujas mães tinham ensino superior completo reportaram uma prevalência 21% menor de autopercepção de saúde bucal negativa quando comparados à referência (RP = 0,79; IC95% 0,66 a 0,97). Conclusões: Os achados do presente estudo confirmam que os indicadores socioeconômicos influenciam a experiência de cárie autorrelatada e a autopercepção de saúde bucal dos universitários.

Objective: To identify the magnitude of the association between dental caries experience and negative self-per-ception of oral health with socioeconomic determinants. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with data from a prospective cohort with university students entering the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) in 2016. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, including demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics. The outcomes of the present study were experience of self-reported caries (history of caries disease) and self-perceived oral health (positive versus negative). Results: A total of 3,237 students joined, of which 2,089 (64.5%) agreed to participate in the study. The Poisson regression model known that university students with an income of R$ 1001 to 5000.00 and R$ 5001 or more primary, respectively, a prevalence ratio (PR) 14% (PR = 0,86; 95%CI 0,80-0,92) and 18% (PR = 0,82; 95%CI 0,74 a 0,90) lower of caries experience, as well as individualizing mothers had completed high school prevalence a 14% (PR = 0,86; 95%CI 0,80 a 0,92) lower prevalence and complete higher education 19% (PR = 0,81; 95%CI 0,75 a 0,87) less caries experi-ence when compared to reference groups. In the self-perception of oral health, the results for income of R$ 1001 to 5000.00 and R$ 5001 or more dissipated, respectively, a 23% (PR = 0,77; 95%CI 0,64 a 0,91) and 43% (PR = 0,57; 95%CI 0,45 a 0,72) lower prevalence of having negative self-perception of oral health and qualified originating from complete higher education reported a 23% lower prevalence of negative self-perceived oral health when compared to the reference (PR = 0,79; 95%CI 0,66 a 0,97). Conclusions: The findings of the present study confirm that socioeconomic indicators influence the experience of caries and self-perceived oral health among university students

Taxes to Unhealthy Food and Beverages and Oral Health in Mexico: An Observational Study.

In January 2014, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and nonessential energy-dense food were implemented in Mexico to discourage the consumption of these products. Published evaluations have shown reductions in purchases of taxed food and beverages associated with the implementation of this fiscal policy. Although there are some studies on the impact on health based on simulation studies, no evaluations with empirical data on changes in oral health have been published. We used administrative records and data from an epidemiological surveillance system to estimate changes in (1) outpatient visits related to dental caries; (2) having experienced dental caries: Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) >0 for permanent dentition or dmft >0 for primary dentition (dmft); (3) number of teeth with caries experience (DMFT and dmft), (4) cases with DMFT >0 or dmft >0, and (5) the series of mean DMFT or dmft, associated with the taxes. We estimated probit and negative binomial models for outcomes at individual level, and interrupted time series analysis for population-level outcomes. The implementation of the taxes was associated with negative changes in the trends of outpatient visits, as well as for cases with DMFT >0, dmft >0 and mean DMFT. Taxes were also associated with a lower probability of having experienced dental caries and with a lower number of teeth with caries experience in the samples studied. Our results suggest positive impacts of the implementation of taxes on unhealthy food and beverages in the oral health of Mexicans, which are the first health benefits observed, and add to the health benefits predicted by modeling studies.

The Burden of Early Childhood Caries in Children under 5 Years Old in the European Union and Associated Risk Factors: An Ecological Study.

The associations among early childhood caries (ECC), socioeconomic status, and sugar consumption are of the utmost importance, due to their potential policy implications. The purpose of this study was to identify trends in ECC burden in children under 5 years old among European Union (EU) member states over time and to evaluate the relationship with its risk factors. Global Burden of Disease 2019 data were analyzed to estimate the burden of ECC over time, specifically incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for children under 5 years old. Four ecological variables with a potential effect on YLDs for ECC were used to investigate the association between 2014 and 2017. The YLDs rate was consistently higher among Eastern EU countries over time. Univariate models showed a positive significant association between at-risk-of-poverty rate and YLDs rate, while GDP per capita and urbanization were inversely associated with YLDs rate. In the multivariate analysis, sugar consumption, GDP per capita and urbanization showed significant association with YLDs rate. After stratification by region, association remained significant only in the Eastern EU countries between GDP, urbanization, and YLDs rate, while sugar consumption and at-risk-of-poverty rate had no significant impact on YLDs rates. This study found increasing ECC burden in the EU. The complexity of the problem indicates the need for innovative and personalized policy approaches to tackle the disease.

Socioeconomic inequalities explain the association between source of drinking water and dental caries in primary dentition.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between source of drinking water and dental caries at age 5 and to test whether socioeconomic conditions act as confounding factors in such association. METHODS: The study was carried out in a sub-sample of the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort, which comprised the application of a questionnaire and clinical oral examination. The exposure was source of drinking water, collected through a question to the primary caregiver. The outcome was dental caries in primary dentition, measured through several standardized indicators of the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (dmft), assessing past and present dental caries. Socioeconomic indicators (family income and maternal education) were identified as potential confounding factors. After descriptive analysis, the association between source of water and measures of dental caries was assessed by Regression models. RESULTS: 1,084 children were evaluated and had complete information in all variables (83.2 % of the targeted sample). Dental caries experience was observed in 48.7 % of the children, with a mean of 1.9 decayed, missing or filled teeth. Most children consumed water from public water supply (76.0 %), and a socioeconomic pattern was observed, with children from lower income more likely to drink water from public supply. In crude analysis, children who consumed bottled water had a lower risk of decayed teeth, lower experience of dental caries and less severe disease. No associations were observed after adjustments for socioeconomic conditions. CONCLUSION: Underlying socioeconomic inequalities explained the association between prevalence and severity of dental caries in primary dentition and source of drinking water. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Drinking fluoridated tap water is as effective in dental caries prevention as bottled water with acceptable levels of fluoride, with the advantage of being accessible to all. Oral health prevention and treatment should be implemented as early in life as possible and should take into consideration the family's socioeconomic context.

[Social inequalities in oral health and early childhood caries: How can they be effectively prevented? A scoping review of disease predictors]. / Inégalités sociales de santé orale et caries précoces de l'enfant : comment prévenir efficacement ? Une revue de portée des prédicteurs de la maladie.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries represent a major public health problem. In addition to their individual impact, the massive social inequalities in oral health that are at the roots and result from the disease have largely underestimated consequences for the child, his family and the community. In response to the question of "how and where to act?", this scoping review identifies the individual characteristics associated with the disease on which it would be possible to act, using appropriate prevention strategies. METHODS: This scoping review is aimed at describing and analyzing available data in the literature on the different factors associated with early childhood caries. RESULTS: The predictors of early childhood caries are represented by mediating (knowledge, attitudes and parents' oral health practices) and moderating (psychosocial parameters, parental health literacy and alcohol consumption) factors. Twenty-eight articles fulfilled the selection criteria, twenty of which studied mediators related to early childhood caries, and fourteen of which dealt with moderators. The lower the parents' level of knowledge and literacy in oral health, the higher a child's dmft index. Additional studies are needed to assess the role of psychosocial parameters. CONCLUSION: Parents' knowledge and oral health literacy are the key predictors to be preferentially targeted in view of reducing social inequalities in health through actions undertaken on a local scale. The prevention of early childhood caries necessitates a combination of generic and targeted interventions.

Assessment of risk factors for early childhood caries at different ages in Shandong, China and reflections on oral health education: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) is widespread around the world, and oral health education (OHE) plays a vital role in preventing ECC. Numerous studies on ECC risk factor assessment have assisted us in enriching the content of OHE. The objective of this study was to further assess independent risk factors for ECC at different ages to provide evidence and insights for OHE. METHODS: Children aged 3-5 years old (N = 1301) in Shandong Province were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Data about oral health status and caregivers' oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) were extracted from the 4th National Oral Health Survey of China. The associations between ECC prevalence and various KAP variables were tested with chi-square tests, bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The ECC prevalence in Shandong Province was 64.6%, and the dmft mean was 3.15. The independent variables with an increased risk for ECC were age, feeding method within 6 months of birth, bedtime sugar frequency, experience of toothache over the past year and dental visits (P < 0.05, chi-square tests). Complete breastfeeding within 6 months of birth primarily contributed to the high ECC risk of the 3-year-old group (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.41-8.17), while high frequency bedtime sweet consumption mainly contributed to that of the 5-year-old group (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.03-10.06; logistic regression analysis). Tooth brushing was not associated with ECC in this study, and some positive knowledge and attitude variables were positively correlated with a high risk of ECC. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence to suggest that the ECC-related risk factors at different ages are inconsistent, which provides some insights for OHE. We should highlight the effects of feeding methods in the early stages of deciduous dentition and sugar habits in the late stages of deciduous dentition on ECC, as well as encourage preventive dental visit and supplemental training for oral health practices.

Impact of sugar-sweetened beverage tax on dental caries: a simulation analysis.

BACKGROUND: The tiered sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax was implemented in Thailand to encourage industries to reduce sugar content in beverages, and consequently reduce sugar consumption in the population. The aim of the study is to explore the expected impact of the new SSB tax policy in Thailand, a middle-income country in Asia, and other alternative policies on oral health outcomes as measured by the prevalence and severity of dental caries among the Thai population. METHODS: A qualitative system dynamics model that captures the complex interrelationships among SSB tax, sugar consumption and dental caries, was elicited through participatory stakeholder engagement. Based on the qualitative model, a quantitative system dynamics model was developed to simulate the SSB tax policy and other alternative scenarios in order to evaluate their impact on dental caries among Thai adults from 2010 to 2040. RESULTS: Under the base-case scenario, the dental caries prevalence among the Thai population 15 years and older, is projected to increase from 61.3% in 2010 to 74.9% by 2040. Implementation of SSB tax policy is expected to decrease the prevalence of dental caries by only 1% by 2040, whereas the aggressive policy is projected to decrease prevalence of dental caries by 21% by 2040. CONCLUSIONS: In countries where a majority of the sugar consumed is from non-tax sugary food and beverages, especially Asian countries where street food culture is ubiquitous and contributes disproportionately to sugar intake, SSB tax alone is unlikely to have meaningful impact on oral health unless it is accompanied with a comprehensive public health policy that aims to reduce total sugar intake from non-SSB sources.