Field of Research: Pediatric Dentistry
Name of author) (s): Sgan-Cohen HD, Bajali M, Eskander L, Steinberg D, Zini A
Title of published work: “Dental Caries Status, Socio-Economic, Behavioral and Biological Variables among 12-Year-Old Palestinian School Children”
Name of Journal: Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
Year: 2015
Volume: 39, No. 4
Pages: 227-231
Publisher: PMID: 26161604
Abstract:
There are currently inadequate data regarding the prevalence of dental caries and its associated variables, among Palestinian children.
AIM:
To determine the current prevalence of dental caries and related variables, among Palestinian children in East Jerusalem.
STUDY DESIGN:
A stratified sample of 286 East Jerusalem Palestinian children was selected, employing randomly chosen sixth grade clusters from three pre-selected socio-economic school groups. Dental caries was recorded according to WHO recommendations. Salivary flow, pH, buffer capacity and microbial parameters, were recorded according to previously employed methodologies.
RESULTS:
The mean level of caries experience, by DMFT, was 1.98 ± 2.05. This level was higher than those found among Israeli children, but lower than several other Middle Eastern countries. In uni-variate analysis, significant associations were revealed between caries and school categories, which indicated lower, middle and higher socio-economic position(SEP), mothers' employment, home densities, dental visits, tooth brushing, Streptococci mutans (SM), Lactobacilli (LB), and saliva pH.
CONCLUSION:
According to a linear logistic regression model, children learning in lower SEP schools, with higher SM levels and more acidic saliva, had a higher chance of experiencing dental caries. These findings should be considered in the planning of services and dental health care programs for Palestinian children.
KEYWORDS:
Dental caries; health behavior; socio-economic position
Contact info of the contact author (s):
Name: Musa Bajali, PhD.
Address: Department of Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Al-Quds University
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
