The decline in dental caries among Belgian children between 1983 and 1998.
(2001) Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (Print) — Vol. 29, n° 1, p. 55-61 (2001)
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- OBJECTIVES: to investigate cross-sectionally a probable dental caries decline in Belgian 12-yr-olds and to analyse some factors that may be associated with dental caries during the study period. METHODS: In the region of Brussels, children in the 7th grade at the same schools were sampled in 1983 (n=533) and 1998 (n= 496). DMFT, DMFS and dental fluorosis were clinically recorded. Data on children's home-based and professional dental health care habits were registered. RESULTS: Caries-free children increased from 4% to 50%. A reduction of the mean number of teeth attacked by dental caries from 7.5 to 1.6 and of tooth surfaces from 11.5 to 2.5 (P<0.001) was observed. Early signs of dental fluorosis were identified in 5% in 1983 and 30% of the subjects in 1998. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, dental appointments and dental fluorosis were significantly related to dental caries reduction. CONCLUSIONS: A remarkable decline in dental caries was observed during the 15-yr period. The factors related to the children's home-based and professional dental health care were associated with the observed decline.
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Carvalho, J. C., Van Nieuwenhuysen, J.-P., & D’Hoore, W. (2001). The decline in dental caries among Belgian children between 1983 and 1998. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (Print), 29(1), 55-61. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0528.2001.00009.x (Original work published 2001)