Caries prevalence and caries experience (ICDAS II criteria) of 5-, 12- and 15-year-old Greek children in relation to socio-demographic risk indicators. Trends at the national level in a period of a decade

Purpose: To study the caries status of 5, 12 and 15-year-old Greek children, assess how disease parameters are related to socio-demographic indicators and identify relevant trends at the national level.

Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 3702 children in total was randomly selected and examined clinically for caries (ICDAS II criteria). Caries experience was outlined by adapting ICDAS_0-6 criteria to the d/D component of the WHO dmf/DMF index configuration. Percentages (%) of caries experience-free children, of children with initial caries (ICDAS_1-2), and the mean d_1-2t/D_1-2T, d_3-6mft/D_3-6MFT and d_3-6mfs/D_3-6MFS indices were calculated. The probability of presenting with d_1-2t/D_1-2T ≥ 1 was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis, whereas negative binomial regression models examined the effect of socio-demographic parameters on d_3-6mfs/D_3-6MFS indices (level of significance: p ≤ 0.05).

Results: 60.1%, 48.1%, and 34.7% of the 5, 12, and 15-year-old children, respectively, had no caries experience at the defect level (d_3-6mft/D_3-6MFT = 0). Initial lesions (ICDAS_1-2) were detected in 17.7%, 19.3% and 17.4% of the 5, 12 and 15-year-olds, accordingly. Mean d_1-2t/D_1-2T was 0.93, 1.70, and 2.51, whereas mean d_3-6mft/D_3-6MFT was 1.48, 1.61, and 2.46 for the 5, 12, and 15-year-olds, respectively. Children with higher educated parents and 15-year-old urban residents exhibited significantly less caries experience at the defect level. Initial caries lesions presented a significantly higher probability of being detected in urban-residing 5- and 15-year-olds, while no consistent trend could be identified for parental education level. Caries prevalence and experience levels declined for all age groups in ten years.

Conclusion: Although the dental health of Greek children has improved disparities remain, calling for organised primary and secondary preventive interventions.