Caries prevalence in school children in four North Italian areas

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries in a sample school children living in four North Italian areas. A cross sectional study was designed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged 12 years were recruited using a systematic cluster sampling technique from all secondary schools from all the four areas. A clinical examination was carried out using WHO guidelines and dental and gingival status was recorded. DMFT index were calculated, furthermore SiC index was calculated too. RESULTS: A total of 1024 (509 - 49.7% males and 515 - 50.3% females) were examined. The caries experience rate was 50.3% while the percentage of children caries affected (Dt>0) was 37.7%. No statistical differences were found in the four areas. Descriptive statistics about DMFT and subgroup was: mean±sd 1.57±2.14, median and (25-75percentiles) 1 (0-3); 0.98±1.74 and 0 (0-1) for DT; 0.56±1.17 and 0 (0 – 0). Among the four areas no statistically significant differences were noted using ANOVA one-way. SiC index in total sample was 4.03±1.97 and 4 (3 – 5). Statistical significant differences were noted among the four group p<0.05). Caries experience was significantly associated with gender and residency. CONCLUSIONS: The caries prevalence of the sample was comparable with findings from international survey, in Italy is still not present national data on caries prevalence. Our results might contribute to the overall picture of Italian school children's dental health