Mwakatobe AJ, Mumghamba EGS: Oral health behavior and prevalence of dental caries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Tanz Dent J 2007; 14 (1): 1-7 Abstract Aim: To study Oral health behavior and prevalence of dental caries, among 12-year-old pupils in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved 310 pupils of 12-year-old (males -43.5% and females -56.5%). Oral health related behavior and knowledge on causes and prevention of dental caries were investigated using a structured questionnaire. Caries experience was assessed using WHO methods. Results: Tooth brushing at least once/day was reported by 92.1% of the children and 71.9 % used toothpaste. Children reported to consume sugary snacks/drinks more often at home (64.5%) than in school (35.5%). Most of the pupils (76.1%) had never visited a dentist. Most children (71.9%) indicated sugary snacks as the main cause of dental caries, and for prevention, they recommended avoiding sweets/sugary foods (53.5%), and tooth brushing (40.3%). The mean Decay-Missing-Filled-Teeth (DMFT) was 0.76 ± 1.17 (SD), was significantly higher among girls (0.84) than boys (0.64), (P = 0.02). A total of 58.4% of the participants were caries free. Higher caries experience was related to lower brushing frequency, irregular use of toothpaste and high frequency of sugary snack consumption (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries among 12-year-olds was lower than the WHO global goal, knowledge on the causes and prevention of dental caries were reasonably good, and consumption of sugary food stuffs was done more at home than in schools. Most of the children had never visited a dentist.

Abstract:Aim: To present a case of a compound odontoma impeding eruption of the permanent upper left central incisor and to narrate its management. Case history: A 12-year-old girl attended at Muhimbili National Hospital dental clinic complaining of a missing upper anterior tooth. At the age of 3 years the patient sustained injury on the anterior part of the upper jaw. A decidous tooth was fractured and eventually extracted. Oral tissues were healthy and the dentition was caries free. Molar relationship on the right-half a unit was class II, on the left full unit class II. Moderate crowding was observed on the upper right and lower right arches, whereas, mild crowding was seen on the lower left arch. No detrimental para functional habits were noted. Radiographic examination revealed the presence of a radiopaque mass with features consistent with an Odontoma, it was overlying an impacted upper left central incisor and had a size of about 4 X 4 mm. Treatment done: The odontoma was surgically removed. A fixed orthodontic appliance was used to facilitate traction and correction of malalignement of the impacted upper left central incisor.Treatment outcome: Successful removal of the odontoma, full exposure of the crown of upper left central incisor and good alignment on the arch were achieved. Crowding on the upper and lower arches was relieved and leveling of both arches together with improvement of midline shift resulted in good facial aesthetics. Conclusion: Successful removal of the impeding odontoma followed by orthodontic management of an impacted incisor with a fixed appliance successfully restored the child's aesthetics and self esteem.