Study of caries risk factors in a group of Bucharest schoolchildren (2)

Abstract

Introduction. A poor oral hygiene, a wick salivary buffering capacity or a high number of colonies of specific bacteria are real risk factors for dental caries. Material and method. This study was conducted on a sample of 46 students aged 10 to 12 years attending two schools in Bucharest. Oral hygiene assessment was made both by using questionnaires and by calculating the OHI-S score. The salivary risk factors were identified and analyzed using GC Saliva Check Buffer and GC Saliva Check Mutans tests. Results. OHI-S score for the entire group led to a moderate degree of oral hygiene. Almost 40% of pupils had a number of mutans streptococci colonies over the limit. Conclusions. The poor oral hygiene and the high number of mutans streptococci colonies in saliva found in this study lead to a high dental caries risk.