Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among primary school children: a population-based cross-sectional study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Authors: Yazeed Abdullah Alhabdan, Abdulhameed Ghassan Albeshr, Nagarajkumar Yenugadhati, Hoda Jradi

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Dental caries is a preventable childhood disease, but public health efforts are hampered due to limited information on associated factors in vulnerable populations. Our study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of dental caries and identifying key associated factors in four major risk domains, including socioeconomic factors, child oral health behavior and practices, child feeding practices, and dietary habits among primary school children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 578 male Saudi primary school children, aged 6–8 years, from 12 primary schools in five different regions of Riyadh. Children were clinically screened to detect carious lesions in primary teeth according to World Health Organization’s criteria. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on social and individual factors from the parents. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of associated factors for dental caries were computed using logistic regression models; key factors were identified by systematic selection process that accounted for multicollinearity and bias correction.

Results

Dental caries was prevalent among children (83%, 95% confidence interval 79.7–86.0%). Individual factors, including irregular brushing, late adoption of brushing habit, consulting dentist for symptomatic treatment, lack of breast feeding, sleeping with a bottle in mouth, habit of snacking between meals, low consumption of fruits, and frequent consumption of soft drinks and flavored milk, were predominantly associated with dental caries in children, instead of socioeconomic factors (p < 0.05, adjusted R-square 80%).

Conclusion

Dental caries were prevalent in school children, and individual factors were predominantly associated with the disease.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
3.
Petersen PE. The World Oral Health Report 2003: continuous improvement of oral health in the 21st century--the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2003;31(Suppl 1):3–23.CrossRef
4.
Hobdell M, Petersen PE, Clarkson J, Johnson N. Global goals for oral health 2020. Int Dent J. 2003;53(5):285–8.CrossRef
5.
6.
7.
8.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health; 2000.
9.
Narang R, Mittal L, Jha K, Anamika R. Caries experience and its relationship with parent’s education, occupation and socio economic status of the family among 3-6 years old preschool children of Sri Ganganagar City, India. Open journal of dentistry and Oral Medicine. 2013;1(1):1–4.
10.
11.
Woodward M, Walker AR. Sugar consumption and dental caries: evidence from 90 countries. Br Dent J. 1994;176(8):297–302.CrossRef
12.
13.
World Health Organization. Oral health surveys: basic methods. 5th ed. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.
14.
15.
Reisine ST, Psoter W. Socioeconomic status and selected behavioral determinants as risk factors for dental caries. J Dent Educ. 2001;65(10):1009–16.PubMed
16.
Al Agili DE, Alaki SM. Can socioeconomic status indicators predict caries risk in schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia? A cross-sectional study. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2014;12(3):277–88.PubMed
17.
Al-Meedani LA, Al-Dlaigan YH. Prevalence of dental caries and associated social risk factors among preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci. 2016;32(2):452–6.PubMedPubMedCentral
18.
Tagliaferro EPS, Ambrosano GMB, Meneghim MC, Pereira AC. Risk indicators and risk predictors of dental caries in schoolchildren. J Appl Oral Sci. 2008;16(6):408–13.CrossRef
19.
Wyne AH, Khan N. Use of sweet snacks, soft drinks and fruit juices, tooth brushing and first dental visit in high DMFT 4-6 year olds of Riyadh region. Indian J Dent Res. 1995;6(1):21–4.PubMed
20.
Wyne AH. Oral hygiene practices and first dental visit among early childhood caries children in Riyadh. Pakistan Oral & Dent Jr. 2003;23(2):161–6.
21.
Al-Shammery AR, Guile EE, Ei-Backly M. Prevalence of caries in primary school children in Saudi Arabia. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1990;18(6):320–1.CrossRef
22.
Wyne AH, Al-Ghorabi BM, Al-Asiri YA, Khan NB. Caries prevalence in Saudi primary school children of Riyadh and their teachers’ oral health knowledge, attitude and practices. Saudi Med J. 2002;23(1):77–81.PubMed
23.
Alamoudi N, Salako NO, Massoud I. Caries experience of children aged 6-9 years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Int J Paediatr Dent. 1996;6(2):101–5.CrossRef
24.
Al-Malik MI, Rehbini YA. Prevalence of dental caries, severity, and pattern in age 6 to 7-year-old children in a selected community in Saudi Arabia. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2006;7(2):46–54.PubMed
25.
Ai-Hosani E, Rugg-Gunn AJ. The relationship between diet and dental caries in 2 and 4 year old children in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Saudi Dent J. 2000;12:149–55.
26.
Paul T, Maktabi A. Caries experience of 5-year-old children in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Int J Paediatr Dent. 1997;7(1):43–4.CrossRef
27.
28.
Traebert J, Guimaraes Ldo A, Durante EZ, Serratine AC. Low maternal schooling and severity of dental caries in Brazilian preschool children. Oral health Prev Dent. 2009;7(1):39–45.PubMed
29.
Rajab LD, Petersen PE, Baqain Z, Bakaeen G. Oral health status among 6- and 12-year-old Jordanian schoolchildren. Oral health Prev Dent. 2014;12(2):99–107.PubMed
30.
Attaran N, Khoshnevisan MH, Ghorbani Z, Pakkhesal M, Dehghanian D. Dental caries predictors in countries with different human development index: a review of articles. Journal of International Oral Health. 2016;8(2):182–90.
31.
Jensen O, Gabre P, Skold UM, Birkhed D. Fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushing; knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among Swedish adolescents and adults. Swed Dent J. 2011;35(4):203–13.PubMed
32.
Smyth E, Caamano F. Factors related to dental health in 12-year-old children: a cross-sectional study in pupils. Gac Sanit. 2005;19(2):113–9.CrossRef
33.
34.
al Ghanim NA, Adenubi JO, Wyne AA, Khan NB. Caries prediction model in pre-school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Int J Paediatr Dent. 1998;8(2):115–22.CrossRef
35.
Carino KM, Shinada K, Kawaguchi Y. Early childhood caries in northern Philippines. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2003;31(2):81–9.CrossRef
36.
37.
Nirunsittirat A, Pitiphat W, McKinney CM, DeRouen TA, Chansamak N, Angwaravong O, et al. Breastfeeding duration and childhood caries: a cohort study. Caries Res. 2016;50(5):498–507.CrossRef
38.
Baginska J, Stokowska W. Dietary habits and early childhood caries intensity among young children. Wiad Lek. 2006;59(1–2):5–9.PubMed
39.
40.
Seow WK. Biological mechanisms of early childhood caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998;26(1 Suppl):8–27.CrossRef
41.
Berkowitz RJ. Causes, treatment and prevention of early childhood caries: a microbiologic perspective. J Can Dent Assoc. 2003;69(5):304–7.PubMed
42.
Iftikhar A, Zafar M, Kalar MU. The relationship between snacking habits and dental caries in school children. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health. 2012;4(12):1943–51.
43.
Domejean-Orliaguet S, Gansky SA, Featherstone JD. Caries risk assessment in an educational environment. J Dent Educ. 2006;70(12):1346–54.PubMed
44.
Punitha VC, Amudhan A, Sivaprakasam P, Rathanaprabu V. Role of dietary habits and diet in caries occurrence and severity among urban adolescent school children. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2015;7(Suppl 1):S296–300.PubMedPubMedCentral
45.
46.
47.
Al-Nahedh NNA, Morley DC. Infant feeding practices and the decline of breast feeding in Saudi Arabia. Nutr Health. 1994;10(1):27–31.CrossRef
48.
Ogbeide DO, Siddiqui S, Al Khalifa IM, Karim A. Breast feeding in a Saudi Arabian community. Profile of parents and influencing factors. Saudi Med J. 2004;25(5):580–4.PubMed
49.
Oulis CJ, Berdouses ED, Vadiakas G, Lygidakis NA. Feeding practices of Greek children with and without nursing caries. Pediatr Dent. 1999;21(7):409–16.PubMed
50.
al-Dashti AA, Williams SA, Curzon ME. Breast feeding, bottle feeding and dental caries in Kuwait, a country with low-fluoride levels in the water supply. Community Dent Health. 1995;12(1):42–7.PubMed
51.
Qadri G, Nourallah A, Splieth CH. Early childhood caries and feeding practices in kindergarten children. Quintessence Int. 2012;43(6):503–10.PubMed
52.
Erickson PR, Mazhari E. Investigation of the role of human breast milk in caries development. Pediatr Dent. 1999;21(2):86–90.PubMed
53.
Peres RC, Coppi LC, Franco EM, Volpato MC, Groppo FC, Rosalen PL. Cariogenicity of different types of milk: an experimental study using animal model. Braz Dent J. 2002;13(1):27–32.PubMed
54.
55.
Dunning JM, Hodge AT. Influence of cocoa and sugar in milk on dental caries incidence. J Dent Res. 1971;50(4):854–9.CrossRef
56.
Levine RS. Milk, flavoured milk products and caries. Br Dent J. 2001;191(1):20.PubMed
57.
Al-Jobair A, Khounganian R. Evaluating the cariogenic potential of flavored milk: an experimental study using rat model. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2015;16(1):42–7.CrossRef
58.
Mariri BP, Levy SM, Warren JJ, Bergus GR, Marshall TA, Broffitt B. Medically administered antibiotics, dietary habits, fluoride intake and dental caries experience in the primary dentition. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2003;31(1):40–51.CrossRef
59.
Marshall TA, Levy SM, Broffitt B, Warren JJ, Eichenberger-Gilmore JM, Burns TL, et al. Dental caries and beverage consumption in young children. Pediatrics. 2003;112(3 Pt 1):e184–91.CrossRef
60.
61.
Cheng R, Yang H, Shao MY, Hu T, Zhou XD. Dental erosion and severe tooth decay related to soft drinks: a case report and literature review. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2009;10(5):395–9.CrossRef
62.
Kleemola-Kujala E, Rasanen L. Dietary pattern of Finnish children with low high caries experience. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1979;7(4):199–205.CrossRef
63.
Moynihan P, Petersen PE. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of dental diseases. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7(1a):201–26.CrossRef
64.
Kumarasamy B, Manipal S, Duraisamy P, Ahmed A, Mohanaganesh S, Jeevika C. Role of aqueous extract of Morinda citrifolia (Indian noni) ripe fruits in inhibiting dental caries-causing streptococcus mutans and streptococcus mitis. J Dent (Tehran). 2014;11(6):703–10.
65.
Akpata ES, al-Shammery AR, Saeed HI. Dental caries, sugar consumption and restorative dental care in 12-13-year-old children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1992;20(6):343–6.CrossRef
66.
Zhu L, Petersen PE, Wang HY, Bian JY, Zhang BX. Oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of children and adolescents in China. Int Dent J. 2003;53(5):289–98.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among primary school children: a population-based cross-sectional study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors
Yazeed Abdullah Alhabdan
Abdulhameed Ghassan Albeshr
Nagarajkumar Yenugadhati
Hoda Jradi
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-018-0750-z

Other articles of this Issue 1/2018

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 1/2018 Go to the issue

Short communication

Ultrasound cardiography examinations detect victims’ long-term realized and potential consequences after major disasters: a case-control study

Research article

Association between tongue pressure and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in relation to platelet levels in hypertensive elderly men: a cross-sectional study

Research article

Relationship of relative poverty and social relationship on mortality around retirement: a 10-year follow-up of the Komo-Ise cohort

Research article

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer: an updated meta-analysis

Research article

Sasa veitchii extract protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice

Research article

Sick building syndrome and associated risk factors among the population of Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia