Social differences in tooth decay occurrence in a sample of children aged 3 to 5 in north-east Italy.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate the occurrence of tooth decay with a social class indicator (occupational level) and the immigrant status in a sample of pre-school children in Veneto region.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Twenty nursery schools in the area of Health District n.15.


METHODS
A total of 1,410 children aged 3 to 5 years old visited between September 2005-May 2006.


RESULTS
Occurrence of dental caries into dentine threshold was made visually and confirmed with a probe when necessary by two calibrated examiners. Information on immigrant status and occupational level of parents was obtained by a questionnaire. Children were categorized as immigrant or non-immigrant on the basis of their mother's country of origin. Means and standard deviation were calculated for continuous variables; for categorical variables the results were provided as proportions. Comparisons between groups were made using Pearson chi-square test. The association between caries occurrence and the independent variables gender, age, immigrant status and family social class was evaluated by means of a logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Caries occurrence was higher among children from lower social class families (1.7 +/- 3.2) than among children from higher social class (0.8 +/- 2.1). The prevalence of dental caries in immigrant preschool children was significantly higher than in indigenous ones (15% vs 40%; p = 0.000) while the severity in immigrants was almost 4 times higher (2.2 +/- 3.6 vs 0.6 +/- 1.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data on preschoolers confirm the worldwide literature shared statement that social class as well as immigration status are determinants of oral health.
Dental Unit, Regional Centre for the Study, the Prevention and the Therapy of Dental Diseases, Veneto Region, Cittadella Hospital, Health District no.15, Via Riva Ospedale, Cittadella (PD), Italy. robferro@ulss15.pd.it
R
R
Ferro
C
C
Cecchin
A
A
Besostri
A
A
Olivieri
E
E
Stellini
S
S
Mazzoleni
D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires