[Analysis of dental caries risk factors in the primary dentition].
The aim of the present study was to assess indicators shown to be associated with the prevalence of caries in the primary dentition of 7-year-old Flemish schoolchildren. Cross-sectional first year data of the Signal-Tandmobiel survey were analysed (n = 4468). Gender, age, oral hygiene habits, use of fluorides, dietary habits, geographical factors and social factors were involved in logistic regression models. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in caries experience determined by the geographical spread, with an explicit trend of caries declining from the east to the west. A start of brushing before the age of 2 and a brushing frequency of at least once a day need to be encouraged, while the use of sugar containing drinks and snacks between meals needs to be restricted to a maximum of 2 per day. The mean dmf-t values were the lowest for the most advantaged children and where threefold higher in the least advantaged children. There was a cumulative effect of decreasing social level and oral health habits on the caries prevalence. Social inequalities in oral health among children exist in Flanders.
Vanobbergen
J
J
Universiteit Gent, Dpt Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry P8, Community Dentistry, De Pintelaan 185B-9000 Gent, Belgium. jacques.vanobbergen@rug.ac.be
Martens
L
L
Lesaffre
E
E
Declerck
D
D
D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005459:Fluorides