Dental caries and erosion status of 11-12-year-old Hong Kong children

Abstract

Objective: To assess the dental caries and erosion status of Hong Kong children aged 11- to 12-year-old and to study the determinants of dental erosion of these children. Method: The survey was performed in 2011 to 2012 with ethics approval (IRB UW 11-169). Cluster sampling was adopted to select children aged 11 to 12 years in primary schools in the 3 main districts of Hong Kong. Written parental consent was sought and the participating parents were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Their children were examined by 3 calibrated examiners for caries status with WHO criteria. Detection of dental erosion followed Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) criteria. Questionnaires were distributed to the participants concerning their diet and oral health habits.

Result:

A total of 600 children participated in the survey and 316 (53%) were boys. The prevalence of caries experience (DMFT>0) was 21% (n=124). The mean DT, MT, FT and DMFT scores were 0.16±0.52, <0.01±0.04, 0.18±0.54 and 0.34±0.76, respectively. Girls had higher caries experience (p=0.001) and more untreated decay teeth (p=0.013) and filled teeth (p=0.016) than boys. Most children (75%) had at least some signs of erosion (maximum BEWE>0). Severe erosion (BEWE=3 in depth) was not detected in the sample. Logistic regression showed that frequency of fruit juice consumption was related to the prevalence of dental erosion (p=0.004). No significant association was found between prevalence of dental erosion and gender, DMFT scores or brushing habit.

Conclusion:

According to this survey, the 11- to 12-year-old children in Hong Kong had low caries experience, but many had early signs of erosion. The prevalence of dental erosion was related to consumption of fruit juice.