A Longitudinal Study of the Caries status from Childhood to School age

Abstract

This study was carried out investigate the longitudinal relationship of the status of caries from childhood to school age among 655 children. The following results were obtained:
1. The caries prevalence of 65.6% and the average number of decayed and filled teeth (df-t) of 3.80were obtained at 3 years old.
2. The caries prevalence and DF-t at 12 years old was 93.4% and 4.78 teeth.
3. The strong significant correlation between df-t at 3 years old and DF-t in children of school age was shown (p<0.001).
4. There were significant differences in the caries prevalence in children of school age between two groups according to the caries status in children 3 years old (caries free/8<df-t).
5. The more df children there were at 3 years of age the more DF children there were at the school age level.
These results suggest that the status of caries during childhood affects the later status of caries and that's an appropriate dental approach could be useful from early age.