ArticleBMC oral health2019
Salivary characteristics and dental caries experience in remote Indigenous children in Australia: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC oral health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 17 citations in OpenAlex.
- Does stunting modify the impact of salivary factors and early childhood caries on oral health-related quality of life?BMC public health · 2026Article
- Association between untreated caries and cariogenic bacteria in adolescents in Taiwan.Journal of dental sciences · 2024Article
- Memory decline in older individuals predicts an objective indicator of oral health: findings from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.BMC oral health · 2022Article
- Predicting dental caries increment using salivary biomarkers in a remote Indigenous Australian child population.BMC oral health · 2021Article
- Observational Study Regarding the Relationship between Nutritional Status, Dental Caries, Mutans Streptococci, and Lactobacillus Bacterial Colonies.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Observational
- Caries Preventive Effects of Theobromine Containing Toothpaste on Early Childhood Caries: Preliminary Results.Acta stomatologica Croatica · 2021Article
- Surface-Specific Caries Preventive Effect of an Intervention Comprising Fissure Sealant, Povidone-Iodine and Fluoride Varnish in a Remote Indigenous Community in Australia.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
11 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundWhile associations between salivary characteristics and dental caries have been well studied, we are not aware of this being assessed in a remote Indigenous child population, where lifestyles may be different from urban children. Our aim was to assess associations between caries experience and putative biomarkers in saliva, accounting for oral hygiene and dietary habits.
methodsChildren attending schools in an Indigenous community in remote north Queensland, Australia were invited to an oral examination by qualified and calibrated examiners. Salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and loads of mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli (LB) and yeasts were determined. Also, data on tooth brushing frequency and soft drinks consumption were obtained via a questionnaire. Caries experience was recorded by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II), and quantified as decayed, missing and filled surfaces. Relationships between the salivary variables and the cumulative caries experience (dmfs+DMFS) in the deciduous and permanent dentitions were examined by multivariate analyses to control the effect of confounders.
resultsThe mean cumulative decayed (DS + ds), missing (MS + ms) and filled (FS + fs) surfaces were 3.64 (SD: 4.97), 1.08 (4.38) and 0.79 (1.84) respectively. Higher salivary MS and LB counts, low tooth brushing frequency and daily soft drink consumption were significantly related to greater caries experience. Caries experience was about twice in those with ≥10^5 CFU/ml saliva counts of MS (mean = 6.33, SD: 8.40 vs 3.11, 5.77) and LB (7.03, 7.49 vs 4.41, 8.00). In the fully-adjusted multivariate model, caries experience in those with higher counts of MS and LB were 51 and 52% more than those with lower counts.
conclusionsAs with studies in other populations, childhood salivary counts of MS and LB were significantly associated with greater caries experience in this remote Indigenous community. To address the serious burden of oral disease, we are researching ways to promote a healthy oral environment by encouraging good dietary habits, and emphasising the importance of daily tooth brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste. Our ongoing longitudinal studies will indicate the success of measures employed to reduce the counts of bacteria closely associated with cariogenesis and their impact on caries increment.
trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ANZCTR ), No: ACTRN12615000693527; date of registration: 3rd July 2015.
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