Patterns of oral hygiene behaviors, daily habits, and caries prevalence in India and dominican republic: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to gain integrative knowledge on oral hygiene behaviors and daily habits affecting caries experience among rural people in India and Dominican Republic (DR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were recruited in two countries: La Esquina community, Province Maria Trinidad Sanchez in DR and in Ramgarh, district Chhindwara in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. A total of 104 participants (18-80 years) were in the DR sample while 202 participants (18-85 years) were in the Indian sample. Face-to-face interviews collected information on oral hygiene behaviors, daily habits, and dental care. The caries experience was quantified using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. RESULTS: There were significant differences in a few oral hygiene behaviors, daily habits, and levels of caries experience between the Dominican and Indian subgroups. Use of toothbrush (χ2 = 65.2; P < 0.001), self-reported use of fluoridated toothpaste (χ2 = 94.04; P < 0.001), use of tobacco (χ2 = 32.4; P < 0.001), dental visit (χ2 = 24.84; P < 0.001), attitude toward seeking professional dental care (χ2 = 85.07; P < 0.001), and DMFT scores (F = 13.3; P < 0.001) were significantly different between the two countries. The caries experience was higher in the Dominicans (9.6 ± 8.0 vs. 4.0 ± 5.7) than India's rural. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health practices varied considerably between rural populations in these two countries. Caries prevalence was significantly higher in Dominicans despite higher consumption of tobacco and lesser use of toothbrush among rural Indians in the subcontinent.

Salivary lead concentration in dental caries among normal and children with cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disability the exact cause of which is not known. Exposure to toxic elements, environmental pollutants, and various teratogens such as lead, either prenatal or postnatal, can be a risk factor for this neurologic disability. CP children have poor neuromuscular coordination, exposing them to increased risk of oral diseases such as drooling of saliva, periodontal diseases, dental caries, and malocclusion. There are less studies comparing lead concentration in CP children, as it can be one of the contributing factors to dental caries. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study was to estimate and compare the salivary lead level in normal and neurologically disabled children and to correlate salivary lead level with dental caries in both normal and neurologically disabled children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study on 45 children reporting to CP rehabilitation center and 41 normal children taken from the Outpatient Department of the Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. P.M.N.M. Dental College and Hospital, Bagalkot, Karnataka. All children were between the age group of 5-12 years. In all individuals, a thorough medical history and dental examination were done. The age, state of dentition, and the level of caries in all individuals were determined by the same examiner, and salivary lead concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. All children were divided into four groups depending on the presence or absence of dental caries. Group 1 consisted of 20 normal children with dental caries, Group 2 consisted of 21 normal children without dental caries, Group 3 consisted of 25 CP children with dental caries, and Group 4 consisted of 20 CP children without dental caries. RESULTS: Were recorded tabulated and statistically analyzed. CP children had high decayed, missing, and filled teeth/def scores, dental caries, and salivary lead concentration as compared to normal children. Statistically significant correlation was obtained between the dental caries and saliva lead concentration. The lead concentration was directly proportional to the carious status. CONCLUSION: CP children are more prone to dental caries and increased salivary lead concentration which could be a cause as well as the effect of CP.

Obesity and dental caries among preschool children in Brazil / Obesidad y caries dental en preescolares de Brasil

Aim This study was aimed at verifying the relationship between childhood obesity and dental caries. Method A total of 2 651 preschool children were examined for this cross-sectional study in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; 1 338 of them attended public schools and 1 313 private schools. The clinical data and anthropometric measurements were obtained in line with WHO criteria. Pearson chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used, with a 5 percent margin of error. Results The prevalence of child obesity was 9 percent (n=240). The highest prevalence was observed amongst children in private elementary schools (p<0.0001). The prevalence of dental caries was 19 percent (n=504). The DMFT index was smaller in non-obese individuals (p=0.0267). The average value of dental caries, lost teeth and DMFT were significantly higher among children in public elementary schools than amongst those in private pre-schools (p<0.0001). Conclusion No relationship was found between dental caries and obesity. Suitable health policies should be adopted so as to minimise the high prevalence of dental caries among this population.

Objetivo Verificar la relación entre obesidad infantil y caries dental. Métodos Estudio de corte transversal en Pernambuco, Brasil, con 2 651 niños preescolares, de los cuales 1 338 se encontraban en escuelas públicas y 1 313 en escuelas privadas. La información clínica y antropométrica se obtuvo de acuerdo con los criterios de la OMS. Se utilizaron las pruebas de Chi cuadrado de Pearson y Mann-Whitney con un error del 5 por ciento. Resultados La prevalencia de obesidad infantil fue de 9 por ciento (n=240). La prevalencia más alta se encontró en los niños de las escuelas primarias privadas (p <0.0001). La prevalencia de caries dental fue de 19 por ciento (n=504). El dmf-t índice fue más pequeño en los individuos no obesos (p=0.0267). El valor promedio de caries dental, pérdida dental y dmf-t fueron significativamente más altas en los niños de las escuelas primarias públicas que en las privadas del mismo tipo (p <0.0001). Conclusiones No se encontró relación entre caries dental y obesidad. Políticas de salud adecuadas deben ser adoptadas para reducir la alta prevalencia de caries dental en esta población.

Obesidade e Cárie Dentária em Pré-Escolares Brasileiros Objetivo Este estudo objetivou verificar a relação entre obesidade infantil e cárie dentária. Material e Métodos Neste estudo transversal um total de 2 651 pré-escolares, sendo 1 338 pertencentes a escolas públicas e 1 313 de escolas privadas foram examinadas em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Os exames clínicos e antropométricos foram realizados de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos pela OMS. Os testes do Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Mann-Whitney foram empregados com margem de erros de 5 por cento. Resultados A prevalência de obesidade entre as crianças foi de 9 por cento (n=240). A maior prevalência foi observada entre as crianças de escolas públicas (p <0,0001). A prevalência de cárie dentária foi de 19 por cento (n=504). O índice ceo-d foi menor em crianças não obesas (p=0,0267). Os valores médios de cárie dentária, dentes perdidos e ceo-d foram significativamente mais elevados entre as crianças de escolas públicas do que entre as pertencentes às escolas particulares (p <0,0001). Conclusão Não foi observada relação entre cárie dentária e obesidade. Políticas adequadas de saúde devem ser adotadas objetivando minimizar a alta prevalência de cárie dentária nesta população.