Dental caries in children in South Africa and Swaziland: a systematic review 1919-2007.
OBJECTIVE
To determine caries rate trends in children in South Africa and Swaziland since the first published epidemiological study in 1910.


METHODS
Cochrane Collaboration methods were used to do a systematic review of reported caries rates from 1919 to 2007 in 5-6y, 11-13y and 14-17y children.


RESULTS
There are variations in caries rates among racial groups and between rural and urban areas but secular trends show decreasing prevalence and dmft or DMFT over time.


CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review shows decreasing caries rates in children in a developing region of Africa.
Cleaton-Jones
Peter
P
Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, Johannesburg, South Africa. peter.cleaton-jones@wits.ac.za
Fatti
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013541:Eswatini / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data