Dental caries and weight among children in Nuuk, Greenland, at school entry

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the possible association between weight class and prevalence of caries among children born 2005-2007, living in Nuuk, Greenland, at time of school entry.

Design: A cross-sectional register study based on data from electronic medical records(EMR) and oral health data from public health and dental care facilities.

Methods: Data from routine examinations of children at time of primary school entry, including height and weight, were obtained from the EMRs. Dental charts recording oral health and caries were collected from public dental healthcare service. The prevalence of caries was calculated as the proportion of included children with dft score (decayed and/or filled non-permanent teeth) ≥1.

Results: 55%(373/681) had relevant data recorded in EMRs and dental charts, and could be included in the study. The prevalence of dental caries was 57.1%(213/373). The prevalence of caries increased with higher weight class,but no statistically significant trend was observed(p=0.063).

Conclusions: Increasing prevalence of caries with increasing weight class was observed in this study. A linear trend could not be confirmed statistically. The high prevalence of caries and overweight indicate the need for continued focus on preventative initiatives and monitoring. A combined strategy targeting both caries and overweight may be considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Dental caries
• dft
• overweight
• weight class
• children
• Greenland
• Inuit
• health care

Acknowledgements

The study was supported financially by The Greenlandic Health Research Council, Department of Health, Government of Greenland, which is much appreciated. Great thanks go to dental consultant Aviaq Møller for collecting the dental charts and to Chief Dentist of Greenland Olina Hansen and Chief Dentist at the Central Dental Clinic in Nuuk Sabina Eugenius for supporting the study. In addition, the careful handling of the data by Anna Rask Lynge in the Lifestyle Group at Queen Ingrid Health Care Center in Nuuk is much valued.

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the ethics committee for medical research in Greenland (2015-1) and the Agency for Health and Prevention in Greenland.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the The Greenlandic Health Research Council, Department of Health, Government of Greenland [grant number 2015-111969].