Obesity and caries in four-to-six year old English children: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and caries are common conditions in childhood and can have significant implications on children's wellbeing. Evidence into their association remains conflicting. Furthermore, studies examining the ssociation between obesity and caries commonly focus on individual-level determinants. The present study aimed to examine the association between obesity and caries in young English children and to determine the impact of deprivation and area-level characteristics on the distribution of the two conditions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among children in Plymouth city aged four-to-six years. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height (converted to Body Mass Index centiles and z-scores), and waist circumference. Caries was assessed by using the sum of the number of teeth that were decayed, missing or filled. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on children's demographic characteristics, oral hygiene, and dietary habits. The impact of deprivation on anthropometric variables and caries was determined using Linear and Poisson regression models, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between different anthropometric measures and caries. Logistic regression models were also used to examine the impact of several demographic characteristics and health behaviours on the presence of obesity and caries. RESULTS: The total sample included 347 children aged 5.10 ± 0.31 (mean ± SD). Deprivation had a significant impact on caries and BMI z-scores (p < 0.05). Neither BMI- nor waist circumference z-scores were shown to be significantly associated with dental caries. Among the neighbourhood characteristics examined, the percentage of people dependent on benefits was found to have a significant impact on caries rates (p < 0.05). Household's total annual income was inversely related to caries risk and parental educational level affected children's tooth brushing frequency. CONCLUSIONS: No associations between any measure of obesity and caries were found. However, deprivation affected both obesity and caries, thus highlighting the need to prioritise disadvantaged children in future prevention programmes

Bulletin of the International Dental Federation /

Mode of access: Internet.Continues as a section of the International dental journal

Differential diagnoses of enamel hypomineralisation in an archaeological context: A postmedieval skeletal collection reassessment

Abstract Developmental enamel defects (DDE) are often used as indicators of general health in past archaeological populations. DDE include three common types of lesions: hypoplasia, diffuse, and demarcated opacities. Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) was defined in 2001 as a qualitative enamel defect affecting first permanent molars and often permanent incisors. The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry established criteria to diagnose MIH in current populations as demarcated white or yellow‐brown opacities of enamel with or without posteruptive breakdown. MIH is prevalent in current populations (average 14.2%) and may cause important damage to first permanent molars. Aetiological factors are uncertain. The discovery of MIH in archaeological skeletal collections based on macroscopic examination has been reported previously, in particular by Ogden and colleagues (2008). If MIH exists in past populations, there are profound implications regarding current aetiological hypotheses. Aims of the present study were to (a) reassess the London postmedieval archaeological collection from which the first cases of MIH were reported and evaluate the reliability of MIH diagnosis criteria in past populations and (b) differentially diagnose developmental defects of enamel and post mortem discoloration in the teeth. Contrary to the reported prevalence in the original study (93.2%), among 47 subadult (&gt;18 years) individuals, a low MIH prevalence was determined (27%). Reliability of MIH diagnosis was tested with three MIH experts who were also physical anthropologists. Our study highlighted that the reliability of a macroscopic diagnosis of MIH in past populations is fair (Cohen's kappa = 0.35 ± 0.11; Fleiss's kappa = 0.3). It could explain the large differential in prevalence values in studies performed in archaeological collections. Pathological and taphonomic agents can produce enamel modifications indistinguishable from one another, even to an “experienced eye.” Here, we examined the literature to highlight potential differential diagnoses of MIH (taphonomic discoloration, amelogenesis imperfecta, fluorosis, rachitic teeth, etc.). Employing nondestructive analyses to characterise and diagnose tooth discoloration in past populations is highly recommended

Gingivitis and plaque scores of 8- to 11-year-old Burmese children following participation in a 2-year school-based toothbrushing programme

Item does not contain fulltextAIM: The present study assessed whether gingivitis and plaque scores of 8- to 11-year-old school children who participated in a SBTB programme for 2 years were lower than those of children who did not participate in the programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was performed using an examiner-blind, parallel group design and was performed in Burma (Myanmar) in 2006. Three of the five schools where daily SBTB programmes took place after lunch and which were performed under teacher supervision were randomly selected; three non-participating schools (non-SBTB) from the same area were assigned as controls. Twenty-five children per school were examined for gingivitis (bleeding on marginal probing) and plaque (Quigley & Hein). RESULTS: In total, 150 8- to 11-year-old children participated, with 75 children in either group. The test group (SBTB) exhibited an overall mean bleeding score of 0.76. For the control group (non-SBTB), this score was 0.83. With respect to the overall mean plaque scores, the test group exhibited a score of 2.93, whereas the control group exhibited a score of 2.91. No statistically significant differences between the test and the control group were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study did not reveal a statistically significant effect of daily SBTB programmes in 8- to 11-year-old school children with respect to gingivitis and plaque scores