Objective: Update information on the oral health status in Kuwaiti children is warranted when estimating their need of treatment and prevention. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of dental caries and gingival inflammation in 2 age groups of children with mixed dentition. Methods: Group I consisted of 60 children (33 males and 27 females), aged 6-9 years (mean age 7.6±1.0), and Group II of 40 children (14 males and 26 females), aged 10-12 years (mean age 11.2±0.7). They were randomly selected and examined in a public pedodontic clinic by the same dentist; dft/DFT and dfs/DFS (decayed and filled teeth and surfaces in the primary/permanent dentition, respectively) using the WHO caries diagnostic criteria, and gingival redness on 3 sites (mesio-, mid-, and distobuccal) based on visual inspection were recorded. SPSS was used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of children being caries and filling free was 3.3% in Group I and 5.0% in Group II. In Group I, mean±standard deviation values for dft and DFT were 6.6±3.9 and 1.4±1.5, and those for dfs and DFS 16.8±11.1 and 1.8±2.1. The corresponding values in Group II were 3.0±2.3 and 3.2±2.9, and 8.0±6.2 and 5.0±5.5, respectively. In Group I the total decayed teeth (dDT) component was higher than the total filled teeth (fFT) component, mean values being 5.3±4.0 and 2.5±2.5 (P <0.001), respectively, while in Group II these components were equal, mean values being 2.4±2.2 and 2.5±2.1, respectively. Mean % of sites with gingival redness was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I (73.9±21.1 vs. 42.8±23.9, P <0.001). Conclusion: Restorative treatment and preventive measures are highly needed in both age groups of Kuwaiti children with mixed dentition. (This study is funded by Kuwait University.)

Back to the Oral Health Research Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 83rd General Session (March 9-12, 2005)

Top Level Search