Caries experience of Hong Kong primary schoolchildren: a pilot survey

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This pilot survey aim to assess the caries status of Hong Kong aged 11- to 12-year-old children, their oral health related habits and socio-demographic factors. METHODS: This survey was conducted in May 2011. Ethics approval was sought from the Institutional Review Board (UW 11-169). Cluster sampling was adopted, selecting children aged 11 to 12 years in primary schools in the 3 main districts of Hong Kong. Written parental consent was sought and the parents were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Their children were examined by 3 calibrated examiners for caries status with WHO criteria. RESULTS: A total of 253 children participated in the survey and 134 (53%) were boys. The prevalence of caries experience (DMFT>0) was 21% (n=54). The mean DT, MT, FT and DMFT scores were 0.06±0.27, 0, 0.25±0.60 and 0.32±0.70, respectively. Girls had more untreated decay teeth than boys (p=0.046). All children brushed their teeth daily. Consumption of vitamin C supplement beverage was positively related to caries experience (B=0.26, p=0.024). Parental misconception that dental decay being caused by “tooth worms” was also positively related with caries experience of the children (B=0.22, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: According to this pilot survey, the 11- to 12-year-old children in Hong Kong had low caries experience. All children had daily tooth-brushing and about 80% of them had no caries experience. Higher caries experience was related to consumption of vitamin C supplement beverage and parental misconception on oral health.