OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, severity and distribution of dental caries among preschoolers in Singapore. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: 13 randomly selected People's Action Party Community Foundation (PCF) Education Centers, the main provider of preschool education in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: 1782 children aged 3-6 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The caries status was evaluated by using WHO examination procedures and diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: About 40% children (26%, 37%, and 49% for 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 year-olds, respectively) were affected by caries. The mean (SD) deft and defs were 1.54 (2.75) and 3.30 (7.49), respectively. About 90% of the affected teeth were decayed teeth. A significantly skewed distribution of caries lesions was revealed, indicating that 16% children with high caries activity (deft > or =4) were carrying 78% lesions. Rampant caries, defined as caries affecting the smooth surfaces of two or more maxillary incisors, was found in 16.5% of children. About 61% of affected surfaces were smooth surfaces. Malays and boys tended to have more rampant caries. Higher caries severity and treatment need were found among Malays and children in the low socio-economic group. CONCLUSIONS: Caries is a severe oral health problem for Singaporean preschoolers, especially in the Malay community and among children with low economic status.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, severity and distribution of dental caries among preschoolers in Singapore. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: 13 randomly selected People's Action Party Community Foundation (PCF) Education Centers, the main provider of preschool education in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: 1782 children aged 3-6 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The caries status was evaluated by using WHO examination procedures and diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: About 40% children (26%, 37%, and 49% for 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 year-olds, respectively) were affected by caries. The mean (SD) deft and defs were 1.54 (2.75) and 3.30 (7.49), respectively. About 90% of the affected teeth were decayed teeth. A significantly skewed distribution of caries lesions was revealed, indicating that 16% children with high caries activity (deft > or =4) were carrying 78% lesions. Rampant caries, defined as caries affecting the smooth surfaces of two or more maxillary incisors, was found in 16.5% of children. About 61% of affected surfaces were smooth surfaces. Malays and boys tended to have more rampant caries. Higher caries severity and treatment need were found among Malays and children in the low socio-economic group. CONCLUSIONS: Caries is a severe oral health problem for Singaporean preschoolers, especially in the Malay community and among children with low economic status.
Authors: T A Kalhan; C Un Lam; B Karunakaran; P L Chay; C K Chng; R Nair; Y S Lee; M C F Fong; Y S Chong; K Kwek; S M Saw; L Shek; F Yap; K H Tan; K M Godfrey; J Huang; C-Y S Hsu Journal: J Dent Res Date: 2020-04-20 Impact factor: 6.116
Authors: C Un Lam; L W Khin; A C Kalhan; R Yee; Y S Lee; M F-F Chong; K Kwek; S M Saw; K Godfrey; Y S Chong; C-Y Hsu Journal: Caries Res Date: 2017-05-25 Impact factor: 4.056
Authors: Kitty Jieyi Chen; Sherry Shiqian Gao; Duangporn Duangthip; Samantha Kar Yan Li; Edward Chin Man Lo; Chun Hung Chu Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2017-08-31 Impact factor: 2.757