Prevalence of Developmental Defects of the Enamel in Primary Dentition in a Bogotan Population

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and distribution of Developmental Defects of the Enamel (DDE) in temporary dentition in a public school from Bogota, Colombia.
Methods: In a population of 153 scholars from 4-6 years old, without systemic disorders and exposed to systemic fluor in salt (180-220 ppm), a simple random sample was done obtaining 62 boys/girls. One dentist was trained and calibrated by an expert in the modified DDE Index from the International Dental Federation, obtaining a kappa intra-examiner score of 0.8 and inter-examiner 0.9. The buccal and palatine/lingual surfaces of all teeth were examined by visual inspection after a dental prophylaxis, air-drying and being ideally illuminated. An informed consent and approval of the study by the Ethical Committee of the School of Dentistry at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia were obtained
Results: The prevalence of DDE was 74.2% (CI 95% 62.1-83.4). Demarcated opacities 86.9% (CI 95% 74.3-93.3), diffuse opacities 76.1% (CI 95% 62.4-85.7) and hypoplasia 2.2% (CI 95% 0.4-11.1). The most common combination of defects was demarcated and diffuse opacities 52.2% (CI 95% 42.3-65.6). The most affected maxilla was the upper (54.6%) and the most compromised teeth were the second molars (56%). The average of affected teeth with DDE per individual was of 4.7 ± SD 2.6.
Conclusions: The high prevalence, of demarcated opacities, although being of low severity, and diffuse opacities of moderated severity, in the studied population, suggest more attention from the health entities in order to exert control over the risk factors associated to its presence, because the DDE lead to dental caries, fractures, excessive wear and dentinal hypersensitivity. In order to know the prevalence of DDE in primary dentition, more studies should be done with more significant samples, standardized methodologies and indexes that allow for efficient recording of the prevalence and severity of enamel defects.