The Significant Index of Caries among 12-year-old Schoolchildren in Malaysia

Objective:  To determine the Significant Caries (SiC) Index of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Malaysia and to identify risk groups for caries among this age group. Method:  NOHSS 2007 was a cross-sectional survey involving a two-stage systematic probability sampling proportionate to population by location. Schools under the Ministry of Education forming the sampling frame. A total of 11,292 12-year-old schoolchildren, weighted to represent 99.9% of the estimated enrolment of 12-year-olds in 2007 were examined. Data mining was carried out to determine the SiC Index, which is the mean DMFT of a third of the 12-year-olds with the highest caries severity. Further analysis of this group by socio-demographic variables was done. Result: Caries prevalence in of 12-year-olds in 2007 was 41.5% (95% CI: 39.9 – 43.0) and the mean DMFT was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06 – 1.18). The SiC Index was 3.10 (SE= 0.05, 95% CI: 3.00 - 3.19). There were no significant differences in proportion by gender and by location, among the third with the highest mean DMFT. Among the ethnic groups, Malays constituted the highest proportion (55.4%, 95% CI: 51.22 – 59.57). The SiC Index was inversely associated with parental education level and reported monthly income, with significantly higher SiC Index as education and income level decreased. Conclusion: The Significant Caries (SiC) Index of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Malaysia was 3.10 and risk groups for caries has been identified. This data will provide input for future high risk strategies in oral healthcare for schoolchildren in Malaysia.