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ARTICLE
Year : 2007  |  Volume : 5  |  Issue : 9  |  Page : 45-53

A 4-year longitudinal study of dental caries prevalence, estimation of caries risk, oral health and dental knowledge among cohorts of 7 to 13 year old children of a school in Bangalore city. Part - I


Department of Community Dentistry, Rama Dental Colkge, Hospital and Research Center, Kanpur-208024 (UP), India

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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


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Good health is a fundamental goal for people and societies across the globe. Any nation can progress rapidly when its people are healthy and lead a productive life. With the child as the focal point, this study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of dental caries, knowledge and attitudes of 487 school children aged 7-13 years, towards oral health and subsequent estimation of caries risk over a 4-year period, in Bangalore city. The data was collected by clinical examination and through a questionnaire. Assessment of caries was done using the W.H.O. methodology. Saliva was collected for microbial tests and biochemical analysis. An additive Knowledge and Practice Index was constructed based on the responses from the questionnaire. The study included six predictor variables for the estimation of caries risk, viz., Streptococcus count, lactobacillus count, total viable flora count, buffering power, caries experience and frequency of sugar intake. Almost 82% of the children suffered from dental caries and 87% children suffered from gingivitis. Knowledge awareness was generally high except for cohort'83. The diagnostic power of buffering capacity was the highest, i.e., 66% and 75% for the 2-year and 4-year caries increment, respectively and Streptococci. spp. counts gave a total predictive value of 60% and 64%, respectively. There is an urgent need for appropriate oral health programs for this group.


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