The decline in dental caries among Belgian children between 1983 and 1998.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate cross-sectionally a probable dental caries decline in Belgian 12-yr-olds and to analyse some factors that may be associated with dental caries during the study period.


METHODS
In the region of Brussels, children in the 7th grade at the same schools were sampled in 1983 (n=533) and 1998 (n= 496). DMFT, DMFS and dental fluorosis were clinically recorded. Data on children's home-based and professional dental health care habits were registered.


RESULTS
Caries-free children increased from 4% to 50%. A reduction of the mean number of teeth attacked by dental caries from 7.5 to 1.6 and of tooth surfaces from 11.5 to 2.5 (P<0.001) was observed. Early signs of dental fluorosis were identified in 5% in 1983 and 30% of the subjects in 1998. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, dental appointments and dental fluorosis were significantly related to dental caries reduction.


CONCLUSIONS
A remarkable decline in dental caries was observed during the 15-yr period. The factors related to the children's home-based and professional dental health care were associated with the observed decline.
Carvalho
J C
JC
School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. joana.carvalho@padt.ucl.ac.be
Van Nieuwenhuysen
J P
JP
D'Hoore
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides