Caries prevalence and need for dental care in 13-18-year-olds in the Municipality of Milan, Italy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between caries prevalence and toothbrushing and dietary habits in adolescents in the city of Milan (Italy).

RESEARCH DESIGN

The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey using clustering samples. DMFT was recorded following the WHO guidelines by three calibrated examiners. A dental health questionnaire was completed by the subjects to assess their toothbrushing and oral hygiene habits. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 1,333 students (age-range 13-18 years, 648 males and 685 females) was studied. The students came from three secondary schools located in different socio-economic and cultural areas of the city.

RESULTS

Caries experience (DMFT>0) was 59.11%. A significant linear trend (p<0.01) was observed for DT>0 among the three different schools selected. The mean DMFT was 1.94 +/- 2.46 and difference observed in DT, FT and DMFT among the three schools was statistically significant (p<0.05). Eating snacks more than once a day provided a significantly higher odds ratio for DMFT>0 and for DT>0 (OR=5.24, p<0.001 and OR= 1.46, p=0.01 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant trend between caries experience and socioeconomic status was observed: adolescents, attending school in a low-socio-economic areas, showed higher caries prevalence and higher levels of untreated caries than their counterparts attending schools located in medium-high socio-economic areas.