PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Vol. 29 No. 1       JAN - FEB 2007

ISSN: 0164-1263      UBIC: 218-F ESP

ABSTRACTS

Purpose: The purpose of the investigation was to determine factors associated with dental erosion in a group of schoolchildren in Queensland, Australia. Methods: Dental examinations were carried out on 714 children aged 5.5 to 14.6 years from 8 randomly selected Australian schools. A total of 3,165 primary and 2,976 permanent teeth were scored for dental erosion using a modified erosion index. Dental caries experience was determined from clinical examination and bitewing radiographs. Enamel defects were recorded using the developmental defects of enamel index. Results: There were 225 children (32%) who exhibited no erosion and 489(68%) who had erosion of at least one tooth. Erosion was found in 78% of subjects with primary teeth and25% of subjects with permanent teeth (P<.001). Children with erosion in the primary and permanent dentition were more likely to have: (1) a lower socioeconomic status (primary dentition, P<.001 and permanent dentition (P<.001); (2) enamel hypoplasia in permanent dentition (P=.001); (3) dental caries in the primary dentition (P=.001); and (4) permanent dentition (P=.002). Conclusions: In Australian schoolchildren, the prevalence of dental erosion in the primary dentition is approximately 3 times greater than in the permanent dentition. Dental erosion is strongly associated with caries experience and enamel hypoplasia. (Pediatr Dent 2007;29:33-39) KEYWORDS: DENTAL EROSION, PREVALENCE, CARIES, ENAMEL HYPOPLASIA, PRIMARY DENTITION, PERMANENT DENTITION.

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