An Epidemiological Study of Dental Caries Among Primary School Children in Timor-Leste.

Objectives: Currently, there is minimal epidemiological data on dental caries among children in Timor-Leste. Study objectives: to determine, (1) caries prevalence and experience, (2) the status (active/arrested) of existing caries lesions and (3) associations between dental caries and potential risk factors, among primary school children in the Aileu Municipality, Timor-Leste.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from an oral health promotion program in primary schools in the Aileu Municipality, Timor-Leste. Caries was diagnosed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System and reported as dmft/DMFT. Caries lesion activity status was defined using International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) criteria. Examiners were trained and calibrated. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to capture information on child oral hygiene and diet behaviours. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using STATA 14.

Results: Data were analysed for 685 children. In the primary dentition, the overall prevalence of caries was 64%, the mean dmft score was 2.74 (SD 3.08) and median was 2 (IQR 0-5). In the permanent dentition, the overall prevalence of was 53%, the mean DMFT score was 1.74 (SD 2.46) and median was 1 (IQR 0-3). For the WHO index age of 6 years, caries prevalence was 75%, the mean dmft score was 4.17 (SD 3.75) and the median was 4 (IQR 0-7). For the WHO index age of 12 years, caries prevalence was 51%, the mean DMFT score was 1.32 (SD 1.75) and the median score was 1 (IQR 0-2). Overall, approximately 84% of caries lesions were identified as being active. The multivariable regression analysis did not identify independent predictors of caries, though trends in expected directions were observed.
Conclusions: Dental caries is major public health issue among Timorese children and urgent action is required to reduce the population burden of this chronic non-communicable disease.