title: Microbiological composition of whole saliva and caries experience in minority populations.
abstract: Microbiological factors in whole saliva, previously implicated in dental caries formation, were studied in four caries-positive adult ethnic groups: Asians, blacks, whites, and Hispanics. Whole saliva was collected from each patient and used for the enumeration of total cultivable microflora (T), streptococci, mutans streptococci (MS), and lactobacilli. In the female subgroup, statistically significant differences were found among the ethnic groups with regard to T in saliva. In the male subgroup, statistically significant differences were found among the ethnic groups with regard to MS in saliva. Statistically significant differences were also found among the ethnic groups in relation to caries score (DMFS), with the Hispanic group having the highest mean DMFS score; and among socioeconomic groups with regard to MS in saliva. Moreover, microbial composition (T and MS) of whole saliva and DMFS scores differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the ethnic groups studied.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Sciences, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, Room 806, New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Harald A B
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Linke
authors.forename: Esther O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Kuyinu
authors.forename: Bolaji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ogundare
authors.forename: Mohammed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Imam
authors.forename: Shafiulla H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Olumide O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Olawoye
authors.forename: Racquel Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: LeGeros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007777:Lactobacillaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D013289:Streptococcaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data