IADR Abstract Archives
Dental Caries among Adults Living in Fluoridated and Non-Fluoridated Areas
Objectives: Water has been fluoridated in most areas in Hochiminh city for more than 25 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the caries experiences among 25-34-year-old people living in fluoridated (F+) and non-fluoridated (F-) areas in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hochiminh city in 2017. A total of 542 subjects from 25 to 34 years old (309 subjects in F+ areas and 233 subjects in F- areas) were selected in the survey. Subjects were interviewed for residency and municipal drinking water since birth. Dental caries were examined according to World Health Organization 2013 criteria by three calibrated examiners. The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score, the prevalence of dental caries (DMFT greater or equal to 1), and the Significant Caries index (SiC index) were calculated. Chi squared and independent t-test were applied.
Results: There was a significant difference in caries prevalence among adults living between F+ and F- areas (53.8% and 70.1%, respectively) (p-value = 0.002). Means of DMFT/SiC were 3.35 ± 3.44/7.28 and 5.28 ± 4.35/10.33 in F+ and F- areas, respectively. Adults born and raised in F+ areas were found to have 36% lower DMFT scores than those living in F- areas (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusions: Adults living in fluoridated community have less caries experiences than those living in non-fluoridated one. Water fluoridation should be widespread to reduce prevalence of dental caries.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hochiminh city in 2017. A total of 542 subjects from 25 to 34 years old (309 subjects in F+ areas and 233 subjects in F- areas) were selected in the survey. Subjects were interviewed for residency and municipal drinking water since birth. Dental caries were examined according to World Health Organization 2013 criteria by three calibrated examiners. The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score, the prevalence of dental caries (DMFT greater or equal to 1), and the Significant Caries index (SiC index) were calculated. Chi squared and independent t-test were applied.
Results: There was a significant difference in caries prevalence among adults living between F+ and F- areas (53.8% and 70.1%, respectively) (p-value = 0.002). Means of DMFT/SiC were 3.35 ± 3.44/7.28 and 5.28 ± 4.35/10.33 in F+ and F- areas, respectively. Adults born and raised in F+ areas were found to have 36% lower DMFT scores than those living in F- areas (p-value < 0.001).
Conclusions: Adults living in fluoridated community have less caries experiences than those living in non-fluoridated one. Water fluoridation should be widespread to reduce prevalence of dental caries.