Association between Socioeconomic Status, Salivary Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and Dental Caries among 12-Year-Old School Children in Belgaum City

JOURNAL TITLE: World Journal of Dentistry

Author
1. Mamata Iranna Hebbal
2. Sharada C Metgud
ISSN
0976-6006
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10015-1105
Volume
2
Issue
4
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
5
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
    1. Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
  • Article keywords

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Aim of the study was to assess dental caries using Modified Dentition Status and Treatment Needs and find its association with salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli counts among 12-year-old school children of Belgaum city.

    Materials and methods

    A self-designed, 13 item, open-ended questionnaire given to parents. Children were examined for dental caries using Modified Dentition Status and Treatment Needs. Stimulated saliva was collected and incubated to estimate lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans colonies. Chi-square test was used to find the association between variables.

    Results

    When DMFT was recorded it was found that 23% of children were free from dental caries, whereas, only 5% of them were free of dental caries when examined using modified criteria. Most of the children had higher microbial count with 72% and 62% of them having > 105 cfu/μl of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli colony count respectively. Modified DMFT was significantly associated with frequency of brushing, lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans counts (p < 0.05).

    Conclusion

    The proportion of subjects with dental caries was relatively high in all groups but the number of teeth affected by caries was low. Inclusion of noncavitated incipient lesions could increase sensitivity of index.

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