IADR Abstract Archives
Paediatric Oral Health Burden in Vanuatu Influenced by Volcanogenic Fluoride
Objectives: To assess the influence of factors, including unmonitored drinking waters, containing natural fluoride (F) from active volcanism, on the oral health burden of differing cohorts of children in Vanuatu.
Methods: Inaugural clinical data sets were formed, n=1080, 5-17yrs, in nine communities, using WHO methods (DMFT/dmft) and Dean’s (DI). Participants spanned a range of assumed high F (Ambrym), moderate F (SE Malekula, Uliveo, Avock) and low F (Aneityum) areas. Questionnaires (Bislama) were used to assess self-reported medical histories, oral pain and toothbrushing behaviours. Village communities provided drinking water samples for F analysis. Participants provided written reports on typical foods consumed weekly.
Results: In general, children had poor oral hygiene habits, presented with no previous dental treatments and consumed similar foods although Aneityumese children had easier access to cariogenic goods. F in drinking-water varied across the study area with highest mean concentration (3.2mg/L) in rainwater-fed supplies on Ambrym, and lowest mean concentration (0.05mg/L) in groundwater-based supplies on Aneityum. The dmft for 6yrs was lowest on SE Malekula (x=0.8) and highest on Aneityum (x=4.6). More than 47% of 6yr children on Aneityum reported having pain, compared to 13 % on SE Malekula. The highest DMFT for 12yrs, was Aneityum (x=2.84) and lowest was on Uliveo (x=0.05). High naturally F area of Ambrym had a 12yr DMFT (x= 0.8) and dmft 6yr (x=0.9). More than 77% of Ambrym’s 12yr presented with DI in moderate/severe range with participants from Lolibulo having a Fci of 2.47.
Conclusions: The lowest caries incidences were associated with moderate concentrations of F in drinking water. Children had no options to relieve dental pain; this suggests an urgent need for restorative/preventive treatments. Fluorosis severity suggests that this developing Pacific nation requires support for further investigations and long-term F monitoring at gold standard level to attain the UNDP, SDG6 for drinking water quality.
Methods: Inaugural clinical data sets were formed, n=1080, 5-17yrs, in nine communities, using WHO methods (DMFT/dmft) and Dean’s (DI). Participants spanned a range of assumed high F (Ambrym), moderate F (SE Malekula, Uliveo, Avock) and low F (Aneityum) areas. Questionnaires (Bislama) were used to assess self-reported medical histories, oral pain and toothbrushing behaviours. Village communities provided drinking water samples for F analysis. Participants provided written reports on typical foods consumed weekly.
Results: In general, children had poor oral hygiene habits, presented with no previous dental treatments and consumed similar foods although Aneityumese children had easier access to cariogenic goods. F in drinking-water varied across the study area with highest mean concentration (3.2mg/L) in rainwater-fed supplies on Ambrym, and lowest mean concentration (0.05mg/L) in groundwater-based supplies on Aneityum. The dmft for 6yrs was lowest on SE Malekula (x=0.8) and highest on Aneityum (x=4.6). More than 47% of 6yr children on Aneityum reported having pain, compared to 13 % on SE Malekula. The highest DMFT for 12yrs, was Aneityum (x=2.84) and lowest was on Uliveo (x=0.05). High naturally F area of Ambrym had a 12yr DMFT (x= 0.8) and dmft 6yr (x=0.9). More than 77% of Ambrym’s 12yr presented with DI in moderate/severe range with participants from Lolibulo having a Fci of 2.47.
Conclusions: The lowest caries incidences were associated with moderate concentrations of F in drinking water. Children had no options to relieve dental pain; this suggests an urgent need for restorative/preventive treatments. Fluorosis severity suggests that this developing Pacific nation requires support for further investigations and long-term F monitoring at gold standard level to attain the UNDP, SDG6 for drinking water quality.