Evidence for reversal of the caries decline among Norwegian children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to report on caries status and to explore possible reasons for changes in caries experience among 5- and 12-year-old Norwegian children.


METHODS
National cross-sectional and time trend study.


METHODS
Aggregated data from the Public Dental Services and from official statistics were used. Information was available on the total number of children, the proportion receiving treatment, sale of fluoride tablets, socio-economic background, caries prevalence and dmft/DMFT scores.


RESULTS
The prevalence of caries among 5-year-olds reached a low of 30.4% in 1997 and increased to 38.9% in 2000. The mean dmft scores increased from 1.1 to 1.5. Conversely, the prevalence of caries among 12-year-olds decreased from 55.4% in 1997 to 52.2% in 2000 and the mean DMFT score from 1.7 to 1.5. Bivariate analyses at county level revealed significant associations, which for the most part disappeared in multivariate analyses. The sale of fluoride tablets had a significant effect on caries prevalence among 5-year-olds in 1998, in 1999 and in 2000. Infant mortality was associated with the dmft score in 1999. The only consistently significant predictor of caries experience at 12 years of age was caries prevalence at age 5.


CONCLUSIONS
There has been a highly significant increase in caries experience among 5-year-olds (P < 0.001) and a levelling off among 12-year-olds over the past 3 years. Considering the association between caries prevalence at age 5 and caries experience at 12 years of age, there is a need for reassessment of the caries preventive programmes for children in Norway.
Haugejorden
O
O
Department of Odontology--Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. ola.haugejordan@odont.uib.no
Birkeland
J M
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D016014:Linear Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012923:Social Class; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013607:Tablets; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D013607:Tablets; D005459:Fluorides