Prevalence and factors associated with dental caries among children and adults in selected districts in Uganda

Objective: The aim was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with dental caries among adults and children in seven districts of Uganda.Methods: Participants aged 11-13 (n=1230) and 35-44 years (n=648) were randomly selected from urban and rural areas of Gulu, Soroti, Jinja, Masaka, Kabale, Kabarole and Hoima districts. They were examined by 4 trained and calibrated dentists for dental caries using Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth index as described by World Health Organisation.Results: Overall mean DMFT score was 0.73 for children and 4.71 for adults. Generally, there was a higher mean DMFT score in the rural (2.19) compared to urban areas (1.97). In all the districts, except Hoima, there was a higher mean DMFT score of children in rural compared to urban. In adults, similar trend was mainly registered in Masaka, Hoima and Gulu districts. Most participants (79.9%, n=1309) occasionally ate sugared snacks. Overall, 95% (n=1795) of the participants cleaned their teeth with plastic tooth brushes (71.7%) and chewing sticks (8.3%).Conclusion: Although the severity of dental caries was low, the disease was widespread in the study population. A high proportion of participants reported consumption of sugared snacks and drinks, which calls for oral health education.Keywords: Dental caries prevalence, severity, sugared snacks, tooth brushing, Ugand

Prevalence and factors associated with dental caries among children and adults in selected districts in Uganda

Objective: The aim was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with dental caries among adults and children in seven districts of Uganda. Methods: Participants aged 11-13 (n=1230) and 35-44 years (n=648) were randomly selected from urban and rural areas of Gulu, Soroti, Jinja, Masaka, Kabale, Kabarole and Hoima districts. They were examined by 4 trained and calibrated dentists for dental caries using Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth index as described by World Health Organisation. Results: Overall mean DMFT score was 0.73 for children and 4.71 for adults. Generally, there was a higher mean DMFT score in the rural (2.19) compared to urban areas (1.97). In all the districts, except Hoima, there was a higher mean DMFT score of children in rural compared to urban. In adults, similar trend was mainly registered in Masaka, Hoima and Gulu districts. Most participants (79.9%, n=1309) occasionally ate sugared snacks. Overall, 95% (n=1795) of the participants cleaned their teeth with plastic tooth brushes (71.7%) and chewing sticks (8.3%). Conclusion: Although the severity of dental caries was low, the disease was widespread in the study population. A high proportion of participants reported consumption of sugared snacks and drinks, which calls for oral health education

Effect of the ferrule on fracture resistance of teeth restored with prefabricted posts and composite cores

Background: The ferrule effect in root treated teeth requiring cast posts and cores has been shown to greatly improve fracture resistance. Studies have also shown that in the case of a cast post and core, the longer the ferrule, the greater the fracture resistance. However few studies have considered the effect of different ferrule designs on prefabricated post and composite core systems. Aim: This study investigated the effect of different ferrule designs on the fracture resistance of teeth incorporating prefabricated posts and composite cores. It also assessed the necessity of a post in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth. Methodology: Sixty-two extracted maxillary incisors (centrals and laterals) and canines were randomly assigned into three groups and restored. Two groups had a prefabricated post and composite core with varying ferrule designs. A third group had a core with composite packed into the root canal but no post. An Instron universal testing machine was used to apply compressive loads until failure occurred. Results: There was no significant difference amongst the three groups as regards fracture resistance. The two groups with prefabricated posts and composite core required a mean force of 931N, std ±283 and 931N, Std ±242 to fracture. The third with no post group required a mean force of 1036N, std ±269 to fracture. Conclusion: In the restoration of an anterior endodontically treated tooth with a prefabricated post and composite core and where there is at least 2 mm or more of remaining coronal dentine, a ferrule may not be necessary. Key Words: endodontically treated teeth, fracture resistance, preformed post, composite core, ferrule design, ferrule effect, ferrule length, shoulder, bevel, contra-bevel African Health Sciences Vol.4(2) 2004: 131-13

Pattern of dental caries in Mulago Dental School clinic, Uganda

Information on dental caries among patients attending Mulago Hospital is scarce. Yet knowledge of the pattern of caries can be used to plan preventive and treatment interventions. This study describes the pattern of dental caries (in terms of age group, tooth and tooth surface and gender) among patients attending the Public Health Dental Officers School Clinic, Mulago Hospital. METHODOLOGY: A review of patients' treatment records for the period 1995 to 1999 was done. A total of 1800 cards were reviewed for the diagnosis of dental caries, age, gender and the data was analyzed using EPI INFO 6 program. The patients were from both urban and peri-urban settings and were aged between 10–90 years. RESULTS: The results showed that the most frequently affected tooth surface was the occlusal (68.8%) followed by the interproximal (24%) and the least affected was the lingual/palatal (1.5%). The second molars were found to be the most affected of all teeth, with tooth 37(12%), 47(11%), 17(9.5%) and 27 (9.1%). The distribution of caries was higher in the lower than the upper jaw. There was a slight difference in sex predilection with females having 54.5% and males 45.5% of the lesions and the age group most affected was 20–29 years. CONCLUSION: The results showed a high occurrence of occlusal surface caries in molars especially the second molars in the 20–29 age group in the patients attending the Public Health Dental Officers School Clinic, Mulago Hospital

Pattern of dental caries in Mulago Dental School clinic, Uganda

Information on dental caries among patients attending Mulago Hospital is scarce. Yet knowledge of the pattern of caries can be used to plan preventive and treatment interventions. This study describes the pattern of dental caries (in terms of age group, tooth and tooth surface and gender) among patients attending the Public Health Dental Officers School Clinic, Mulago Hospital. Methodology: A review of patients' treatment records for the period 1995 to 1999 was done. A total of 1800 cards were reviewed for the diagnosis of dental caries, age, gender and the data was analyzed using EPI INFO 6 program. The patients were from both urban and peri-urban settings and were aged between 10–90 years. Results: The results showed that the most frequently affected tooth surface was the occlusal (68.8%) followed by the interproximal (24%) and the least affected was the lingual/palatal (1.5%). The second molars were found to be the most affected of all teeth, with tooth 37(12%), 47(11%), 17(9.5%) and 27 (9.1%). The distribution of caries was higher in the lower than the upper jaw. There was a slight difference in sex predilection with females having 54.5% and males 45.5% of the lesions and the age group most affected was 20-29 years. Conclusion: The results showed a high occurrence of occlusal surface caries in molars especially the second molars in the 20-29 age group in the patients attending the Public Health Dental Officers School Clinic, Mulago Hospital. Key words: caries experience, tooth surfaces, occlusal African Journal of Health Sciences Vol.5(1) 2005: 65-6

Prediction of width of un-erupted incisors, canines and premolars in a Ugandan population: A cross sectional study

Abstract Background Accurate prediction of the space forms an important part of an orthodontic assessment in the mixed dentition. However the most commonly used methods of space analysis are based on data developed on Caucasian populations. In order to provide more accurate local data we set out to develop a formula for predicting the widths of un-erupted canines and premolars for a Ugandan population and to compare the predicted widths of the teeth from this formula with those obtained from Moyers’ tables, and Tanaka and Johnston’s equations. Methods Dental casts were prepared using mandibular and maxillary arch impressions of 220 children (85 boys/135 girls) aged 12–17 years recruited from schools in Kampala, Uganda. The mesio-distal width of the mandibular incisors, mandibular and maxillary canines and premolars were measured with a pair of digital calipers. Based on regression analysis, predictive equations were derived and the findings were compared with those presented in Moyers’ probability tables, and Tanaka and Johnston’s equations. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the tooth widths predicted by our equations and those from Moyers’ probability tables at the 65th and 75th percentile probabilities for the girls and at 75th level in boys in the mandibular arch. While in the maxillary arch no statistically significant differences at the 75th and 95th levels were noted in girls. There were statistically significant differences between predicted tooth sizes using equations from the present study and those predicted from the Tanaka and Johnston regression equations. Conclusions In this Ugandan population, Moyers’ probability tables could be used to predict tooth widths at specific percentile probabilities, but generally, Tanaka and Johnston technique tends to overestimate the tooth widths.</p