title: Risk indicators and risk predictors of dental caries in schoolchildren.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify risk indicators of high caries level at baseline (HCLB) based on cross-sectional data and predictors of high caries increment (HCI) based on a 7-year-follow-up examination in 6-8-year-old schoolchildren. Two hundred and six schoolchildren were examined in 1997 and in 2004 by the same two calibrated dentists, in Piracicaba, Brazil. At baseline, dental caries, presence of sealants, fluorosis, and oral hygiene status were recorded. The children's parents completed a questionnaire concerning socioeconomic level, fluoride use, dental service utilization, dietary and oral hygiene habits. HCLB and HCI were defined considering the upper quartile of the total caries experience distribution (dmfs+DMFS) and caries increment distribution, respectively. Logistic regression models were adjusted estimating the Odds Ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Having white spot lesions (OR=5.25) was found to be a risk indicator of HCLB. Schoolchildren with dental fluorosis (OR=0.17) or those who brushed the teeth more than two times a day (OR=0.37) presented less probability of HCLB. The predictors of HCI were: dmfs>0 (OR=2.68) and mothers' educational level up to 8 years of schooling (OR=2.87). Clinical and socioeconomic variables were found to be risk indicators and/or predictors of dental caries in schoolchildren.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elaine Pereira da Silva
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Tagliaferro
authors.forename: Gláucia Maria Bovi
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ambrosano
authors.forename: Marcelo de Castro
authors.initials: Mde C
authors.lastname: Meneghim
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000502:physiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000145:classification; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011336:Probability; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D005459:Fluorides