Epidemiology of malocclusion in Argentine children.

As part of a nationwide oral health survey in Argentina, malocclusion traits and need of orthodontic treatment was assessed in 1554 schoolchildren aged 12-13 using the WHO-FDI basic method for recording occlusal traits. A frequency of 1.38% extracted permanent teeth was found, being higher in Amerindian than Caucasian children. Incisor diastema and crowding was significantly lower in Amerindians. Both maxillary overjet and overbite were significantly lower in Amerindian (2.9% and 3.8%) than in Caucasian children (9.9% and 8.1%) respectively (P less than 0.001). The frequency of distal molar relation was 10% and the mesial molar relation 5%. Of the children examined 76% had no need of orthodontic treatment. Treatment need in Amerindian group (18%) was significantly lower than in the Caucasian group (28%). Since there is an increasing public demand for the provision of orthodontic treatment in public dental services, careful planning based on feasibility studies is essential for the creation of appropriate solutions.

Epidemiologic oral health survey of Argentine children.

An epidemiologic oral health survey of 2279 children aged 7-8 and 12-13 was carried out in eight different regions of Argentina using methods and criteria recommended by the WHO. The children examined lived in rural or urban areas and were of Caucasian or Amerindian extraction. Periodontal status showed that 75% of this population had soft deposits, while calculus and gingivitis increased with age. Calculus: 0.4 at 7 yr to 16.1 at 13; gingivitis: 2.7% at 7 yr to 27.2% at 13. At age 8, the mean number of dmf per child was 3.9. The percentage of caries-free children with permanent dentition dropped from 60% at age 7 to 32% at age 13. In Amerindian children, all these parameters were higher. Both the mean dmf and DMF per child were substantially lower in natural fluoride areas than in non-fluoride areas. Data from this first nationwide epidemiologic study in this country provide baseline data for further investigations. According to the data obtained in this study, Argentine regions may be classified as high, medium or low risk areas, although a lack of adequate dental care was found in all regions. With these risk priorities as a guideline, we propose an initial strategy consisting of a carefully planned and selective program of primary dental health care.

Effects of an experimental diet on parotid saliva and dental plaque pH in institutionalized children.

Sixty-six children aged 6-12, permanent residents of a children's home, were placed on a diet during a 45-day experimental period to measure salivary flow-rate, pH of saliva and dental plaque, total concentrations of salivary proteins, inorganic phosphate, bicarbonate, calcium and amylase. The total caloric content, as well as the proportional nutrient and calorie distribution of the foods, were determined and compared with those of the previous habitual diet. After the experimental period, stimulated parotid salivary flow, increased by 40 per cent over the pre-experimental values. Total proteins of saliva and pH of both saliva and dental plaque increased significantly, whereas inorganic phosphate concentration decreased. Concentrations of bicarbonate, calcium and amylase did not differ from those found pre-experimentally. The findings appear to derive from lesser retention and increased hardness of the foods in the experimental diet.