title: Dental Erosion and Caries Status of Chinese University Students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence and severity of dental erosion and caries experience of Chinese university students in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year Chinese students were invited to attend a dental clinic at a university campus in Hong Kong during their freshman orientation. A questionnaire was used to investigate the potential factors affecting their dental status, including sociodemographic factors, toothbrushing habits, dietary habits (consumption of sugary drinks), time elapsed since last dental check-up and self-perceived dental erosion status. Three calibrated dentists performed the clinical examinations. Dental erosion was evaluated using the modified Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) and dental caries experience was measured using the DMFT index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 600 participants aged 18-21 were examined and 44% showed some signs of dental erosion (maximum BEWE > 0). Severe dental erosion (BEWE = 3) was found in 1% of the adults. Many (69%) had caries experience (DMFT > 0); their mean DMFT score was 2.5 ± 2.7 (± SD). The total BEWE scores were found to be associated with age and self-perception of tooth misalignment. No correlation was found between BEWE score and dietary habits, oral hygiene practices or self-perceived dental erosion status. Females, those whose last dental check-up was more than a year ago and those who perceived having dental decay or tooth wear had higher caries experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly half of the Chinese Hong Kong university students had signs of dental erosion, but very few showed signs of severe erosion. Caries experience was widespread but not high.
authors.forename: Chun Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Alex Man Him
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Edward Chin Man
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001628:Beverages; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005459:Fluorides