Objective: To describe the prevalence, severity and intra-oral distribution of dental caries among children from four Northland communities.
Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological survey of a Census sample.
Methods: Dental examinations were systematically conducted on all children aged 5 or 6 and all children 12 or 13 (and for whom parental consent was obtained) in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Kawakawa/Moerewa and Dargaville. Bitewing radiography was used to aid caries diagnosis in the older age group. Data are reported for the deciduous dentition in the 5-6-year-olds, and the permanent dentition in the 12-13-year-olds.
Results: There were 369 5-6-year-olds and 171 12-13-year-olds, approximately two-thirds of whom were Maori. Almost 88% of 5-6-year-olds had experienced dental caries, and this was lower among the Pakeha/Other group, those attending higher-decile schools, and those from Dargaville. Overall caries experience (represented by a mean dmft score of 5.6; sd 3.9) was higher among Maori children, those attending lower-decile schools, and those from Kaikohe, Kawakawa/ Moerewa or Kaitaia, as was the number of untreated decayed surfaces. Almost one in four children had lost at least one tooth due to caries, and this was higher among Maori children and those from schools in more deprived areas, and lower among children from Dargaville. Caries experience was greatest among the second molars in either arch, and lowest among the mandibular incisors. Among the 12-13-year-olds, 85% had experienced dental caries (mean DMFT = 3.7; sd 3.1). The number of untreated surfaces with decay (more than 3, on average) was considerably lower among children from Dargaville. Caries experience was greatest among the first molars in either arch (followed by the second premolars), and absent among the mandibular incisors.
Conclusions: The prevalence and severity of dental caries in Northland is very high in comparison to the rest of New Zealand. The problem is particularly acute among northern communities and Maori. Dealing with the problem will require a combination of population health and personal health interventions.