title: Black stain and dental caries in schoolchildren in Potenza, Italy.
abstract: This study examined the correlation between dark pigmented dental plaque (black stain) and caries. Black stain was observed in 67 of 1086 schoolchildren (from 6-12 years old). The mean DMF-T was 0.49 = 1.05 for children with black stain and 0.97 = 1.40 for children with black without black stain (p<0.05). The results suggest an association between black stain and a decreased caries experience at least in the permanent dentition. Further studies are necessary to examine the etiology and whether or not black stain can protect against caries.
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Koch
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bove
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Schroff
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Perlea
authors: F
authors: F
authors: García-Godoy
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Staehle
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000453:epidemiology*