R N Rafeek1, S Marchan, A Eder, W A J Smith. 1. School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mount Hope, Trinidad & Tobago. reisha@trinidad.net
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of tooth surface loss (TSL) in a sample of subjects attending a university dental clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship to tooth brushing, medical history, parafunction and dietary habits. DESIGN: Tooth surface loss was measured clinically by the index used in the 1998 UK, Adult Dental Health Survey. SETTING: Trinidad, West Indies. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of adult subjects attending The University of the West Indies Dental School Polyclinic, Mount Hope. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered and tooth surface loss measured clinically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mild, moderate and severe tooth surface loss. RESULTS: 155 subjects were examined (mean age 40.6 years) of whom 72% had some degree of TSL with the majority (52%), exhibiting mild, 16% with moderate and 4% with severe TSL. There were associations found between TSL and age (OR=3.14), reflux (OR=1.37), parafunction (OR=1.06), weekly consumption of citrus fruits (OR=1.31) and soft drinks (OR=1.78), daily consumption of alcohol (OR=1.40) and a vegetarian diet (OR=2.79). CONCLUSIONS: Tooth surface loss in this Trinidadian population group appears to be common. Data supports an association between TSL and age, reflux parafunction and certain dietary patterns.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of tooth surface loss (TSL) in a sample of subjects attending a university dental clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship to tooth brushing, medical history, parafunction and dietary habits. DESIGN: Tooth surface loss was measured clinically by the index used in the 1998 UK, Adult Dental Health Survey. SETTING: Trinidad, West Indies. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of adult subjects attending The University of the West Indies Dental School Polyclinic, Mount Hope. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered and tooth surface loss measured clinically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mild, moderate and severe tooth surface loss. RESULTS: 155 subjects were examined (mean age 40.6 years) of whom 72% had some degree of TSL with the majority (52%), exhibiting mild, 16% with moderate and 4% with severe TSL. There were associations found between TSL and age (OR=3.14), reflux (OR=1.37), parafunction (OR=1.06), weekly consumption of citrus fruits (OR=1.31) and soft drinks (OR=1.78), daily consumption of alcohol (OR=1.40) and a vegetarian diet (OR=2.79). CONCLUSIONS: Tooth surface loss in this Trinidadian population group appears to be common. Data supports an association between TSL and age, reflux parafunction and certain dietary patterns.