A case-control study of determinants for high and low dental caries prevalence in Nevada youth

Abstract

BackgroundThe main purpose of this study was to compare the 30% of Nevada Youth who presented with the highest Decayed Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index to a cohort who were caries free and to national NHANES data. Secondly, to explore the factors associated with higher caries prevalence in those with the highest DMFT scores compared to the caries-free group.MethodsOver 4000 adolescents between ages 12 and 19 (Case Group: N = 2124; Control Group: N = 2045) received oral health screenings conducted in public/private middle and high schools in Nevada in 2008/2009 academic year. Caries prevalence was computed (Untreated decay scores [D-Score] and DMFT scores) for the 30% of Nevada Youth who presented with the highest DMFT score (case group) and compared to the control group (caries-free) and to national averages. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between selected variables and caries prevalence.ResultsA majority of the sample was non-Hispanic (62%), non-smokers (80%), and had dental insurance (70%). With the exception of gender, significant differences in mean D-scores were found in seven of the eight variables. All variables produced significant differences between the case and control groups in mean DMFT Scores. With the exception of smoking status, there were significant differences in seven of the eight variables in the bivariate logistic regression. All of the independent variables remained in the multivariate logistic regression model contributing significantly to over 40% of the variation in the increased DMFT status. The strongest predictors for the high DMFT status were racial background, age, fluoridated community, and applied sealants respectively. Gender, second hand smoke, insurance status, and tobacco use were significant, but to a lesser extent.ConclusionsFindings from this study will aid in creating educational programs and other primary and secondary interventions to help promote oral health for Nevada youth, especially focusing on the subgroup that presents with the highest mean DMFT scores.

Assessment of dental caries predictors in 6-year-old school children - results from 5-year retrospective cohort study

“…Dental caries remains a major public health problem due to its widespread nature, high cost of treatment, and it is a main cause of oral pain and tooth loss which ultimately affects quality of life [1,2]. Current evidences show that dental caries is a multifactorial disease and complexly modulated by genetic, behavioral, social and environmental factors [2,3].…”

“…Current evidences show that dental caries is a multifactorial disease and complexly modulated by genetic, behavioral, social and environmental factors [2,3]. Considering this complex etiology of dental caries the major challenge for oral epidemiologists is to identify potential determinants and predictors of dental caries in order to target socially appropriate public health measures to control the disease and its unpleasant consequences [4].…”

Sociodemographic, Socio-economic, Clinical and Behavioural Factors Modifying Experience and Prevalence of Dental Caries in the Permanent Dentition

“…Studies have identified associations between numerous factors and dental caries, supporting the agreement that dental caries is a multifactorial disease modulated by genetics, behaviour and environment (15). It is well known that caries depends on several factors comprising the interaction of agent, host, environment and time.…”

Early Respiratory Infections and Dental Caries in the First 27 Years of Life: A Population-Based Cohort Study

“…The following variable were included in the analyses as potential confounders: family socioeconomic status at baseline [17], age, gender, second-hand tobacco smoke exposure from birth to the age of 3 years [18], and preterm birth (before the week 37) [19]. Information on these covariates was obtained from the baseline questionnaire and later follow-up surveys.…”