Dental Caries Prevalence and Public Health

Caries Prevalence

• Global burden:
  • 60-90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have cavities (WHO, 2019)
  • 2.3 billion people suffer from tooth decay worldwide (GBD, 2017)
• Trends:
  • Decrease in caries prevalence in industrialized countries, but remains a significant problem (Marthaler, 2004)
  • Increase in caries prevalence in developing countries due to changing diets and lifestyles (Petersen, 2008)

Dental Public Health

• Importance:
  • Caries is a significant public health problem, affecting quality of life and overall health (Petersen, 2008)
  • Linked to other health issues, such as malnutrition, diabetes, and heart disease (Moynihan, 2015)
• Strategies:
  • Community-based programs, such as water fluoridation and oral health education (CDC, 2020)
  • School-based programs, such as sealant programs and oral health screenings (AAPD, 2018)

Caries Prevention

• Fluoride:
  • Most effective method for preventing caries, especially in children (Marinho, 2013)
  • Used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and community water fluoridation (CDC, 2020)
• Sealants:
  • Effective in preventing caries, especially in children and adolescents (Ahovuo-Saloranta, 2013)
  • Applied to occlusal surfaces of teeth, especially molars (AAPD, 2018)
• Diet and nutrition:
  • Frequent consumption of sugary snacks and drinks increases caries risk (Moynihan, 2015)
  • Balanced diet with adequate nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, supports oral health (AAPD, 2018)

Risk Factors

• Socioeconomic factors:
  • Lower socioeconomic status associated with higher caries prevalence (Petersen, 2008)
  • Limited access to dental care and oral health education (CDC, 2020)
• Behavioral factors:
  • Frequent sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene practices (Moynihan, 2015)
  • Lack of dental visits and preventive care (AAPD, 2018)
• Biological factors:
  • Genetic predisposition and enamel defects (Marthaler, 2004)
  • Inadequate saliva flow and poor oral health (Petersen, 2008)

Oral Health Disparities

• Racial and ethnic disparities:
  • Higher caries prevalence in African American, Hispanic, and Native American populations (CDC, 2020)
  • Limited access to dental care and oral health education (Petersen, 2008)
• Age disparities:
  • Higher caries prevalence in children and adolescents, particularly in low-income communities (AAPD, 2018)
  • Increased risk of caries in older adults, especially those with limited access to dental care (CDC, 2020)
• Geographic disparities:
  • Rural areas and underserved communities with limited access to dental care and oral health education (Petersen, 2008)

Caries Prevalence

• 60-90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have cavities
• 2.3 billion people suffer from tooth decay worldwide
• Decrease in caries prevalence in industrialized countries, but remains a significant problem
• Increase in caries prevalence in developing countries due to changing diets and lifestyles

Dental Public Health

• Caries is a significant public health problem, affecting quality of life and overall health
• Linked to other health issues, such as malnutrition, diabetes, and heart disease
• Community-based programs, such as water fluoridation and oral health education, are effective strategies
• School-based programs, such as sealant programs and oral health screenings, are also effective

Caries Prevention

• Fluoride is the most effective method for preventing caries, especially in children
• Fluoride is used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and community water fluoridation
• Sealants are effective in preventing caries, especially in children and adolescents
• A balanced diet with adequate nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, supports oral health
• Frequent consumption of sugary snacks and drinks increases caries risk

Risk Factors

• Lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher caries prevalence
• Limited access to dental care and oral health education is a risk factor
• Frequent sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene practices increase caries risk
• Lack of dental visits and preventive care is a risk factor
• Genetic predisposition and enamel defects are biological risk factors
• Inadequate saliva flow and poor oral health are also biological risk factors

Oral Health Disparities

• Higher caries prevalence is seen in African American, Hispanic, and Native American populations
• Limited access to dental care and oral health education contributes to disparities
• Higher caries prevalence is seen in children and adolescents, particularly in low-income communities
• Increased risk of caries is seen in older adults, especially those with limited access to dental care
• Rural areas and underserved communities with limited access to dental care and oral health education experience disparities

Caries Prevalence

• 60-90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have cavities globally
• 2.3 billion people suffer from tooth decay worldwide
• Decrease in caries prevalence in industrialized countries, but remains a significant problem
• Increase in caries prevalence in developing countries due to changing diets and lifestyles

Dental Public Health

• Caries is a significant public health problem, affecting quality of life and overall health
• Linked to other health issues, such as malnutrition, diabetes, and heart disease
• Community-based programs, such as water fluoridation and oral health education, are essential
• School-based programs, such as sealant programs and oral health screenings, are crucial

Caries Prevention

• Fluoride is the most effective method for preventing caries, especially in children
• Fluoride is used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and community water fluoridation
• Sealants are effective in preventing caries, especially in children and adolescents
• Balanced diet with adequate nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, supports oral health
• Frequent consumption of sugary snacks and drinks increases caries risk

Risk Factors

• Lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher caries prevalence
• Limited access to dental care and oral health education increases caries risk
• Frequent sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene practices increase caries risk
• Genetic predisposition and enamel defects increase caries risk
• Inadequate saliva flow and poor oral health increase caries risk

Oral Health Disparities

• Higher caries prevalence in African American, Hispanic, and Native American populations
• Limited access to dental care and oral health education increases caries risk
• Higher caries prevalence in children and adolescents, particularly in low-income communities
• Increased risk of caries in older adults, especially those with limited access to dental care