Sains Malaysiana 42(1)(2013): 107–114

Pattern of Caries and Gingivitis in a Selected Population of Schoolchildren Aged 9 to 11 Years

(Corak Kejadian Karies dan Penyakit Gusi dalam Kalangan Populasi Kanak-kanak Sekolah Terpilih Berumur 9 hingga 11 Yahun)

Syarida Hasnur Safii*

Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine & Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry

University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Lily Azura Shoaib & Halimah Awang

Department of Children Dentistry & Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya

50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 17 November 2011 / Accepted: 15 July 2012

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of caries and gingivitis in a selected population of schoolchildren and to examine the relationship between prevalence of the diseases with their oral health behaviours. A total of 39 subjects, aged nine to 11 years, from 147 schoolchildren of a private school in Selangor, Malaysia were examined by two calibrated examiners trained in their own field. The subjects were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Erupted first permanent molars and permanent anterior teeth were examined. Dental caries, Plaque Score and Gingival Index were recorded. Descriptive statistics using frequency distribution were used to analyse the data. Forty-one percent of the subjects presented with more than 75% of total plaque accumulation. Prevalence of caries and gingivitis for the subject population was 18.0% and 31.0%, respectively. Caries was found on both the smooth (buccal/lingual/palatal) and occlusal surfaces. Gingivitis, diagnosed around 31.6% of teeth, was found more on the incisors (16.9%) than molars (14.7%). A relatively higher distribution of gingivitis was found on labial aspect of the incisors (5.5%) and palatal/ lingual aspect of the molars (4.7%). The prevalence of caries and gingivitis in this selected population was low. Certain dentition sites were more susceptible to dental caries and gingivitis. Good tooth brushinghabits and regular visits to the dentists do not guarantee the efficacy of plaque removal.

Keywords: Caries pattern; gingivitis; oral health behaviour; plaque; toothbrushing

ABSTRAK

Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan kadar kejadian karies dan penyakit gusi dalam kalangan populasi pelajar sekolah yang telah dikenal pasti dan mengkaji hubung kait antara kadar kejadian penyakit-penyakit tersebut dengan tabiat penjagaan kesihatan mulut . Sebanyak 39 subjek daripada 147 pelajar sebuah sekolah rendah persendirian di Selangor, Malaysia yang berumur antara 9 dan 11 tahun telah diperiksa oleh dua orang penyelidik yang telah dikalibrasi dan terlatih dalam bidang masing-masing. Subjek ditemu bual menggunakan borang kaji selidik. Gigi molar kekal pertama dan gigi kekal anterior yang telah tumbuh sempurna diperiksa. Karies, skor plak dan indeks kesihatan gusi direkodkan. Statistik deskriptif menggunakan taburan frekuensi digunakan untuk menganalisis pengalaman karies, skor plak dan indeks kesihatan gusi. Empat puluh satu peratus subjek mempunyai plak melebihi 75% jumlah keseluruhan pengumpulan plak pada permukaan gigi yang direkodkan. Kadar kejadian karies bagi keseluruhan subjek adalah 18.0% manakala kadar kejadian gingivitis adalah 31.0%. Karies direkodkan melibatkan permukaan licin (bukal/ lingual/ palatal) dan oklusal. Sebanyak 31.6% gusi mengalami gingivitis dengan gigi insisor (16.9%) mendahului berbanding gigi geraham (14.7%). Secara relatifnya, taburan gingivitis lebih tinggi pada aspek labial gigi insisor (5.5%) dan aspek palatal/ lingual gigi geraham (4.7%). Kesimpulannya, kadar kejadian karies dan gingivitis dalam populasi terpilih ini adalah rendah. Sesetengah kawasan gigi lebih cenderung kepada karies dan gingivitis. Tabiat memberus gigi yang baik dan pemeriksaan gigi secara berkala didapati bukan penentu kepada keberkesanan membersihkan plak daripada permukaan gigi.

Kata kunci: Corak karies; gingivitis; memberus gigi; plak; tabiat kesihatan mulut

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*Corresponding author; email: syarida.safii@um.edu.my