Caries index, systemic fluoride supplementation and oral hygiene: Statistical analysis in a sample of pediatric subjects.

Aim This study is a statistical retrospective analysis on the correlation between intake of systemic fluoride, oral hygiene conditions and frequency of dental caries in primary and permanent dentitions in a sample of pediatric subjects. The aim of our study was to evaluate in a sample of patients how the caries index (dmft and DMFT) could vary according to the assumption of systemic fluoride supplements, the oral hygiene condition (measured with the Oral Hygiene Index - OHI-S) and the age of the first pediatric dentistry visit. Materials and methods The study is based on the analysis of a sample of 1000 subjects (500 males and 500 females), aged between 3 and 14 years old (mean 9.3) conducted in the division of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Results Caries frequency in primary teeth is not significantly influenced by patient gender, fluoride intake and duration of fluoride intake; it is significantly influenced by the age of the first pediatric dentistry visit (p<0.001) and Oral Hygiene Index (p<0.001). Caries frequency in permanent teeth is not significantly influenced by patient gender (p>0.1), duration of fluoride intake (p>0.1), it is significantly influenced by age of the first pediatric dentistry visit (p<0.001) and Oral Hygiene Index (p<0.001). We found a positive correlation between number of deciduous teeth decayed and permanent teeth decayed (p<0.0001). Conclusion This study does not support the hypothesis that systemic fluoride intake may reduce the prevalence of caries in deciduous and permanent teeth. A high Oral Hygiene Index and early age of the first pediatric dental examination seem to have a positive effect on reducing the prevalence of tooth decay.