Factors Affecting Future Caries Occurrence Among Preschoolers in Northern Guangdong: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the new development of caries among preschoolers in northern Guangdong and to assess caries-related factors to distinguish groups with different caries risk levels. Methods: Baseline data were recorded for participants from September to November 2019, and participants were reexamined from September to November 2020. A longitudinal observation of 11,973 preschoolers was conducted. The simplified debris index (DI-S) and decayed-missing-filled tooth (dmft) index values were obtained for each participant. Results: Factors associated with whether caries would occur in the future and one-year increase in dmft (Δdmft) included baseline dmft, baseline DI-S, and baseline age. The risk ratio (RR) of caries occurrence and the number of teeth with new-onset caries were 4.482 (95% confidence interval, 4.056-4.957) and 2.945 (2.742-3.165) in the participants with baseline dmft ≥3, which were higher than those with baseline dmft =1 or 2. In the baseline caries-free group, whether caries would occur in the future was related to the baseline DI-S (95% confidence interval, 0.022-0.062). The caries incidence of maxillary central incisors (27.9%) was the highest among teeth of preschoolers without caries at baseline, whereas the caries incidence of mandibular first deciduous molars (42.7%) was the highest among teeth of preschoolers with caries at baseline. Conclusion: Baseline dmft is a good predictor of future caries. Children with baseline caries-free status, baseline dmft >0, and baseline dmft ≥3 should be treated with preventive interventions of different intensities and frequencies. The occurrence of future caries in baseline caries-free participants is related to oral hygiene status. Measures to prevent caries on smooth surfaces, such as topical fluoridation, should be applied to all preschoolers. Preschoolers with caries at baseline may be given priority for pit and fissure sealing.

A systematic review of caries risk in children <6 years of age

“…Nineteen studies had age as a predictor. Of 19, nine studies reported age as significantly associated with future caries risk (ORs: 1.10–5.00; HRs: 1.70, 1.77, 1.83; RRs: 1.07, 1.12) 19–27 . Only four of 25 studies reported a significant association for sex as a predictor.…”

“…Additionally, as their jaws develop and grow, there is a higher likelihood of food impaction between primary teeth, leading to a greater risk of interproximal decay. 25 Certain clinical factors have been linked to ECC. The presence of dental plaque is a reliable and widely recognized sign that can help in the identification of the initial phases of ECC and also in assessing the extent or severity of the condition.…”

“…Of 19, nine studies reported age as significantly associated with future caries risk (ORs: 1.10-5.00; HRs: 1.70, 1.77, 1.83; RRs: 1.07, 1.12). [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Only four of 25 studies reported a significant association for sex as a predictor. Three studies reported males at increased risk for the development of caries (HR: 1.10; RR: 3.00), and one study found that males had decreased risk of caries development (HR: 0.80).…”

Keterampilan Motorik Kasar Anak Prasekolah: Analisis Program Intervensi Motorik

“…Berdasarkan jabaran tersebut dapat diakatakan bahwa kemapuan motorik kasar anak masih belum optimal. Dengan demikian, guru harus menciptakan kesempatan belajar yang tepat agar anak-anak mengalami berbagai latihan motorik di tempat yang sesuai, dilengkapi dengan materi khusus, dan mereka harus siap untuk melakukan kegiatan pendidikan khusus yang mempertimbangkan karakteristik dan kebutuhan individu anak (Yan et al, 2021).…”

Effectiveness of online caries management platform in children's caries prevention: A randomized controlled trial

“…In the past 10 years, with the rapid economic development of Guangdong Province, China, the government has invested a large amount of manpower and material resources in the prevention and treatment of children's caries. However, the prevalence of children's caries is still increasing ( 1 ). The caries-free rate of primary teeth of children aged 5 years (21.6%) was far lower than the World Health Organization's (WHO) target of a 50% caries-free rate, and the filled rate of dental caries was only 1.3% ( 2 ).…”