Caries experience, the caries burden and associated factors in children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2013

C.R. Vernazza, S.L. Rolland, B. Chadwick, N. Pitts

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: The 2013 Children’s Dental Health Survey is the fifth in a series of national surveys.
Aims: To describe caries prevalence and severity and factors affecting these, in children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2013.
Methodology: A representative sample of children (aged 5, 8, 12 and 15 years) in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland were invited to participate in dental examinations. Caries was measured at both the dentine (“Obvious caries”) and dentine plus enamel (“Clinical caries”) levels and analysis included identifying those with indicators of significant burden of caries and identifying predictive factors.
Results: In 5 year olds, 40% had obvious caries experience increasing to 56% when enamel lesions were included. In 15 year olds, the respective figures were 46% and 63%. 14% of 5 year olds and 15% of 15 year olds had a least one indicator of significant levels of caries and those from deprived backgrounds were more likely to fall into this group.
Conclusions: Overall, the prevalence of caries of children is continuing to decrease, but the rate is slowing. The level of disease for those with disease is much higher than the average values might suggest and there remain a sizeable minority with a significant burden of caries, associated with deprivation. This complex picture poses significant clinical and public health challenges.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)315–320
JournalBritish Dental Journal
Volume221
Issue number6
Early online date23 Sept 2016
Publication statusPublished - 23 Sept 2016

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