Methods: Random samples of children in the Republic of Ireland aged 12 (n=3,861) and 15 (n=3516) years were clinically examined for tooth wear by 32 teams of trained and calibrated examiners. The criteria used were those described by Steele and Walls (Community Dent Oral Epidemiol; 28: 18-25: 2000). The labial incisor and palatal surfaces of the six upper and lower anterior teeth were examined. Tooth wear was classified as “mild” (dentine just exposed), “moderate” (> 1/3 of the surface with dentine exposed) or “severe”(pulp or secondary dentine exposed)
Results: Amongst 12-year-olds the percentage of subjects with one or more incisor affected by any tooth wear was 17.5% (16.6% “mild”, 0.7% “moderate” and 0.1%“severe”). The corresponding figures amongst 15-year-old were 29.6% (27.8%, 1.4%, and 0.6%). The percentage of subjects affected by tooth wear on the upper incisal surfaces was 11.5% and 21.7% in the 12-year-old and 15-year-old age groups respectively. The corresponding figure for lower incisors were 12.6% and 22.2%
The percentage of 12-year-olds with tooth wear on the labial surfaces was 3.5% in lifetime residents of fluoridated communities compared with 6.5% in residents of non fluoridated communities (NS); the corresponding figures for 15-year-olds was 3.8% and 3.9% (NS).
Conclusion: Approximately 20% of 12-year-olds and 30% of 15-year-olds in the Republic of Ireland have evidence of tooth wear in their permanent anterior teeth.