Epidemiological analysis of dental caries in 12-year-old children residing in urban and rural settings in the Podlaskie region of north-eastern Poland
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2013, Vol 20, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction. Dental caries is still a social problem in many countries, including Poland. Through epidemiological studies conducted in index groups among children and adults, it is possible to monitor its progress and take appropriate action. The Podlaskie region is an area where the severity of dental caries in children has been the highest in the country for a few years, both in urban and rural settings. Objective. Evaluation and comparison of indicators of the progress of caries – Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) – in 12-year-olds from the urban and rural areas of north-eastern Poland, measured between 2003–2010. Materials and method. In 2003 and 2010, respectively, 445 children were examined: in 2003 – 188: 101 boys, 87 girls; 98 from urban areas, 90 from rural areas, and in 2010 – 257 adolescents: 134 boys, 123 girls; 157 from urban areas and 70 from rural areas. The study protocol was strictly subordinated to the WHO study monitor guidelines. DMFT indices were evaluated in particular years. The distribution of their individual components was then compared and analyzed. The outcomes resulting from the place of residence and gender of the adolescents were taken into account. In the statistical analysis, Shapiro-Wilk test and Mann-Whitney U test were used. Results. In 2003, the mean value of DMFT was 4.76, and in 2010 it decreased to 3.36 (p<0.0001). In 2003, DMFT was 4.42 in the rural areas, and after 7 years it has risen to 4.77. There was a significant decrease in the value of the index (from 5.08 to 2.82, p<0.0001) in the urban areas. No significant differences based on gender were observed between these years. Conclusions. The values of caries intensity among 12-year-olds from the Podlaskie region, both in rural and urban areas, are still high. Among children from the rural areas, dental caries progression is more visible and has not improved during the years 2003–2010. These findings should lead to the development of programmes for the inhabitants of rural areas.
Authors and Affiliations
Ewa Rodakowska, Magdalena Wilczyńska-Borawska, Joanna Bagińska
Consequences of smoke inhalation in the ‘Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Poland’ project (ECAP)
This paper presents a risk assessment of individuals with respiratory allergies who are exposed to active and passive tobacco smoke (environmental tobacco smoke or ETS). Smoking tobacco and ETS is a serious environmental...
Activity of MMP-2, MMP-8 and MMP-9 in serum as a marker of progression of alcoholic liver disease in people from Lublin Region, eastern Poland
In alcoholic liver cirrhosis, normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis). Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process in which activated hepatic stellate cells are involved in the synthesis of matrix proteins and...
Changes in population abundance of adult <em>Dermacentor reticulatus</em> (Acari: Amblyommidae) in long-term investigations in eastern Poland
Investigations into the abundance of adult [i]D. reticulatus[/i] in relation to the effect of climatic conditions (temperature, humidity) on host-seeking behaviour were conducted during the autumn (September-October) and...
Treatment of lower limb trophic ulcers using hyperbaric oxygenation
[b]Introduction.[/b] Lower limb venous ulcers affect approximately 1–1.3% of the population and constitute the most dangerous and distressing complication related to chronic venous insufficiency. Although the issue of tr...
Influence of biological factors on injuries occurrence in the Polish population
[b]Introduction and objective. [/b]Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common knee injuries in sports. Although various intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors have been identified, the exact aetiology of...