Dental Caries  in Pre-School Children In Tongatapu and Suva

The aim of this study is to evaluate if there is a similar pattern between diet and dental caries in Suva (2004) and Tongatapu (2011).

Methods:

Oral examinations were carried out on a sample of 70 preschool children in 4 preschools in Suva (2004). Questionnaires were given out to the respective caregivers. Oral examinations were carried out on a sample of 200 preschool 3-5 yr olds. Questionnaires were then administered to the parents/guadians.

Results:

The mean DMFT of 3.52 was determined for the study based in Suva, Fiji in 2004 for 3-6 olds and the mean DMFT in tongatapu for 3 yr olds was 1.72. 4 yr olds was 3.37 and 5 yr olds was 3.75.

Chi square analysis (p=0.05) depicted that the null hypothesis between dmft and diet in Suva, Fiji. However the study in Tongatapu, Tonga showed the null hypothesis is rejected (p<0.05) between diet and dental caries.

Conclusions: There was no correlation seen between level of dental caries and diet in pre-schoolers in Suva Fiji 2004. However there was a significant relationship between dental caries and diet in Tongatapu, Tonga 2011 which showed that as there was more cariogenic diet the level of dental acries increased.