IADR Abstract Archives
Evaluating the Impact of Water Fluoridation on Dental Caries Using ICDAS Index
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries (at both dentine and enamel level of diagnosis) amongst Malaysian children and its relationship with demographic characteristics and oral hygiene practices.
Methods: This study involved life-long residents aged 12 year-olds in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in Malaysia (n=595). The survey was carried out in 16 public schools by a calibrated examiner using ICDAS II criteria. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney and Chi Square tests.
Results: The overall response rate was 74.4%. Caries prevalence at dentine level or at dentine and enamel level was significantly (p<0.001) higher among children in the non-fluoridated area (D1-6MFT>0:82.4%, D4-6MFT>0:53.5%) than those in the fluoridated area (D1-6MFT>0: 68.7%, D4-6MFT>0: 25.5%). The prevalence of enamel caries was higher than dentine caries in both areas. No significant differences were observed between the two areas when the detection threshold was set at enamel caries (p=0.506). However, when detection criteria were elevated to the level of caries into dentine there were clear differences between the fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas (p=0.006). Girls had a significantly higher caries severity at all levels compared to boys. Children whose parents had a low monthly income had a higher caries prevalence than those whose parents had high monthly income.
Conclusions: Results from this study confirmed existing evidence of the benefit of water fluoridation in caries prevention. Detection criteria set at caries into dentine shows clear differences between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in comparison to detection thresholds at enamel caries thresholds. Gender and socio-economic status were associated with caries prevalence.
Methods: This study involved life-long residents aged 12 year-olds in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in Malaysia (n=595). The survey was carried out in 16 public schools by a calibrated examiner using ICDAS II criteria. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney and Chi Square tests.
Results: The overall response rate was 74.4%. Caries prevalence at dentine level or at dentine and enamel level was significantly (p<0.001) higher among children in the non-fluoridated area (D1-6MFT>0:82.4%, D4-6MFT>0:53.5%) than those in the fluoridated area (D1-6MFT>0: 68.7%, D4-6MFT>0: 25.5%). The prevalence of enamel caries was higher than dentine caries in both areas. No significant differences were observed between the two areas when the detection threshold was set at enamel caries (p=0.506). However, when detection criteria were elevated to the level of caries into dentine there were clear differences between the fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas (p=0.006). Girls had a significantly higher caries severity at all levels compared to boys. Children whose parents had a low monthly income had a higher caries prevalence than those whose parents had high monthly income.
Conclusions: Results from this study confirmed existing evidence of the benefit of water fluoridation in caries prevention. Detection criteria set at caries into dentine shows clear differences between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in comparison to detection thresholds at enamel caries thresholds. Gender and socio-economic status were associated with caries prevalence.