Epidemiologic Survey of Dental Erosion in Undergraduate Students in China

Objectives: This cross-sectional study is to learn the prevalence of dental erosion and related risk factors in undergraduate students in the eastern and western regions of China.Methods: A sample of 1916 undergraduate students aged eighteen to twenty-three years signed informed consent and completed the study. 900 students came from Chengdu city selected in the western region and 1016 students came from Xuzhou city selected in the eastern region of China. Dental erosion was measured by one calibrated examiner using diagnostic criteria similar to those employed in the UK National Survey. Information about potential related risk factors for dental erosion was collected through a structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of dental erosion was 27.92% in total students. The vast majority of affected students showed erosive tooth wear low in severity and confined to the enamel (99.81%). No significant difference was found between the sexes and the two cities. Consumption of acidic foods and beverages at bedtime, oral hygiene behavior, systemic diseases, psychologic factor, parents' education level and traditional acidic food consumption were associated with the presence of erosion. Logistic regression analysis showed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (OR=4.374) and high prevalence of consumption of traditional acidic food (OR=2.602) are risk factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental erosion in this sample of students is 27.92%. Dental erosion seems to occur most often in students who have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and much consumption of traditional acidic food.