To investigate the dental caries experience and the factors influencing the dental caries, we recruited 439 children (male; 219, female; 220) in 4, 5, 6 grades of an elementary school in Chin ju city from April 1 to April 20, 1989.
The DMF rate for total teeth was 88.6 percent. The DMF rate for permanent teeth was 76. 3 percent, whereas, that for deciduous teeth was 84.1 percent.
The DMFT and deft rates had not statistically significant relationship with brushing time and brushing frequency. However, the DMFT rate had a statistically significant relationship with brushing method (p<0.05). The DMFT rate of those who took the brushing method with rolling or combined (vertical and scrubbing) is lower than those who took the brushing method with vertical or scrubbing (p(0.05).
The frequency of milk intake was significantly associated with the deft and the DMFT rates, respectively (p<0.05). There were no other snack food and confection items significantly associated with the deft and the DMFT rates.
Dental caries remains a serious health problem in the elementary school children. Therefore, it is recommended that the health education for brushing method and appropriate intake of snack food and confections should be done early before age six to prevent the dental caries of permanent teeth.
|