Y Elelmi1, R Mabrouk2, F Masmoudi2, A Baaziz2, F Maatouk3, H Ghedira2. 1. Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Monastir, Tunisia. yamina_elelmi@yahoo.fr. 2. Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Monastir, Tunisia. 3. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Monastir, Tunisia.
Abstract
AIM: To assess the prevalence of black tooth stains and to investigate its correlation with caries experience in the primary dentition of 3-5-year-old children in the region of Monastir, Tunisia. METHODS: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving children in preschool establishments in Monastir, Tunisia. It consisted of an oral examination of 393 children and data collection through a questionnaire completed by parents. ANOVA test and Pearson Chi-square test were used to assess the prevalence of black stains and its association with dental caries. RESULTS: The overall mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index was 1.42 ± 0.1. Caries prevalence was 49.9%. Of all the children involved, 6.1% had black stains. A statistically significant relationship was found between black stain and the prevalence of early childhood caries (p = 0.047). However, the association with the dmft index was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Preschool children with black tooth stain had lower dental caries experience. The results of the present study suggest that black stains are a protective factor for early childhood caries. More studies are needed to explore the risk factors of black stains.
AIM: To assess the prevalence of black tooth stains and to investigate its correlation with caries experience in the primary dentition of 3-5-year-old children in the region of Monastir, Tunisia. METHODS: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving children in preschool establishments in Monastir, Tunisia. It consisted of an oral examination of 393 children and data collection through a questionnaire completed by parents. ANOVA test and Pearson Chi-square test were used to assess the prevalence of black stains and its association with dental caries. RESULTS: The overall mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index was 1.42 ± 0.1. Caries prevalence was 49.9%. Of all the children involved, 6.1% had black stains. A statistically significant relationship was found between black stain and the prevalence of early childhood caries (p = 0.047). However, the association with the dmft index was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Preschool children with black tooth stain had lower dental caries experience. The results of the present study suggest that black stains are a protective factor for early childhood caries. More studies are needed to explore the risk factors of black stains.
Entities:
Keywords:
Black stain; Dental caries; Early childhood caries; Preschool children; Primary dentition