Aims: The present study examined the prevalence of dental caries in and gingivitis around permanent first molars (PFM) in relation to their timing of emergence. Methods: In a group of 1609 “early emergers” (all PFM present at baseline) and a group of 336 “late emergers” (no PFM present at baseline), caries experience, the presence of plaque, and gingival health were evaluated annually during five follow-up examinations. Results: Even though all children were born in the same year, mean DMFS scores for PFM remained higher in the early emergers throughout the study; mean buccal plaque and gingivitis scores were comparable in both subgroups. Early emergers had a significantly increased risk of caries
experience in the occlusal surface of the PFM for two to four years. No consistent association was observed between timing of emergence and gingivitis levels. Conclusions: It is recommended that dental age as well as chronological age should be taken into account when caries prevalence data in young children are compared
