Disparities in Caries Experience and Socio-Behavioural Risk Indicators Among Private School Children in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and socio-behavioural risk factors for dental caries among children at selected LGAs in Lagos State. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study of 592 school children in four Local Government Areas of Lagos, Nigeria. The presence of caries was recorded using the World Health Organization criteria. Descriptive statistics were reported for analysis of comparative DMFT and SiC scores in relation to age, gender, and other socio-demographic variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the differential impact of the variables on the probability of being in the high caries prevalence group. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 16.0% with mean dmft for age 6 being 1.3 ± 1.57 while the mean DMFT for age 12 was 0.15 ± 0.67. The mean Sic for age 6 was 1.5 ± 0.53 while the mean SiC for age 12 was 1.09 ± 0.29. The mean SiC values was significantly higher in the primary and permanent dentition among those who had never visited the dentist, female students, those who don't use fluoridated toothpaste and those who eat sweets and candy several times a day. After logistic regression analysis, those with no previous dental visit (OR=3.05; CI: 1.72-4.67) and females (OR=1.55; CI: 1.16-1.62) still had significantly higher SiC Values. Conclusion: The prevalence of caries was low in the study population. Being female, non-use of fluoride-containing toothpaste and not visiting the dentist were significant predictors of dental caries among children attending private schools.

Individual and familial factors associated with caries and gingivitis among adolescents resident in a semi-urban community in South-Western Nigeria

“…The observed higher caries prevalence with older age in this study has been reported in prior studies [ 59 , 61 ], and this had been ascribed to longer exposure of the teeth to cariogenic insults in the oral environment [ 62 ]. Recent evidence suggests that exposure to environmental insults such as air pollutants like nitrous oxide, may also be a risk factor for caries [ 63 ].…”

“…There are currently no studies identifying protective factors for caries in the environment, although it is possible that the use of fluoridated toothpaste by a large percentage of the population may be a plausible protective factor. A prior study indicated that the caries experience was higher for those who use non-fluoridated toothpaste in Nigeria than those who used fluoridated toothpaste [ 59 ]. It is also possible that the consumption of starchy staple foods and fresh fruits which are found and eaten in abundance in the study environment, may be associated with the low level of dental caries observed [ 60 ] though no studies have been conducted to explore and possible association.…”

Replication of GWAS significant loci in a sub-Saharan African Cohort with early childhood caries: a pilot study

“…This study was conducted among preschool children below 6 years of age in Lagos, Nigeria, from March 2018 to October 2019. Details of study design has been reported in previous study [22]. Briefly, the study was conducted in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State (Mushin, Surulere, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu and Epe).…”

Comparison of Dental Caries and Oral Hygiene Status of Children in Suburban with those in Rural Population of Southwestern Nigeria

“…Dental caries still remains one of the most commonly occurring oral infections affecting children worldwide [1,2] and it is a major reason for absenteeism from school and loss of working hours by the parents [3,4].…”

“…Prevalence of dental caries also varies within the same country. In Nigeria, various studies have reported different caries prevalence depending on the study setting, the socioeconomic status and the study location [4,11]. Nigeria is a developing West African nation which is classified as either a low-or a middleincome economy [12].…”