School
School of Public Health
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Public Health
Date of Award
1993
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) School of Public Health
Abstract
Enamel hypoplasia is considered a predisposing factor for initiation and progression of dental caries in both primary and permanent dentition. The complete etiology of this enamel defects, however, is still not clearly understood. The study described in this dissertation examined the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in Chinese children and various factors associated with the defects using a cross-sectional epidemiological method. A modified Developmental Defects of Dental Enamel Index was developed to meet the study objectives. A total of 1,344 three- to five-year-old children were included in this study. Among the results, three were considered as most significant. First, the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia was 22.3 percent among the study population. The occurrence of this defect was significantly and positively associated with males, low birth weight, and prematurity. The finding indicated that the time between gestation and the first 6 months of life would be the most sensitive period for developing enamel hypoplasia. Second, mutans streptococci (MS), a highly cariogenic bacteria, was detected in 94.7 percent of the children sampled. The difference in the concentration of mutans streptococci from children's saliva were statistically significant and directly associated with the presence of enamel hypoplasia. The results suggest that morphologic alterations and irregularities of the enamel surfaces may promote a greater colonization of the bacteria in the oral cavity. Consequently, susceptibility of teeth to dental caries is increased by the presence of the cariogenic bacteria in oral cavity. Third, a high proportion of children with dental caries was observed in the study population. A strong correlation was found between enamel hypoplasia and dental caries. Children who had enamel hypoplasia had two to five times more dental caries. Results from this indicated that enamel hypoplasia could be an important predictor for caries risk assessment in the general population. In summary, the results of this study not only help to fill the missing information about the distribution of enamel defects in a Chinese children population, but also establishes a foundation for future studies of these defects and their oral implications. This knowledge will facilitate the design and implementation of intervention programs, particularly for the Chinese children population.
ProQuest Publication Number
ProQuest ID
9407443
ISBN
979-8-208-58998-4
Recommended Citation
Li, Yihong, "Influence on dental caries of malnutrition, enamel hypoplasia, and colonization of mutans streptococci in rural Chinese children 3 to 5 years old" (1993). All ETDs from UAB. 7184.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7184
Comments
DrPH