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. 2023 Aug 25;59(9):1538.
doi: 10.3390/medicina59091538.

Oral Health Survey in Burundi; Evaluation of the Caries Experience in Schoolchildren Using the DMFT Index

Demetrio Lamloum  1   2 , Marco Dettori  2   3 , Pino La Corte  4 , Maria Ruth Agnoli  5 , Andrea Cappai  6 , Arianna Viarchi  7 , Antonella Arghittu  3 , Thomas Gerhard Wolf  2   8 , Paolo Castiglia  3 , Guglielmo Campus  2   3   9
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Oral Health Survey in Burundi; Evaluation of the Caries Experience in Schoolchildren Using the DMFT Index

Demetrio Lamloum et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Background and objectives: There are no data on oral health in the population of Burundi. This study aimed to describe the oral health status of schoolchildren in Burundi using the dmft/DMFT index for the first time. Materials and methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological survey. The survey was designed according to the WHO methodology for oral health surveys. Oral examinations were conducted in school rooms using a dental mirror, probe, and headlight. The following characteristics of primary dentition status were recorded: decayed (d/D), missing (m/M), and filled (f/F) teeth, and the dmft/DMFT (d + m + f t/D + M + F T) index was calculated for each subject. Quantitative and qualitative variables were represented by measures of position and variability. One-way ANOVA was used to assess differences between parametric variables. Logistic regression was performed for total caries experience and gender, age groups, living area, and geographical provinces. Results: A total of 1902 children were examined, 1007 (52.94%) six-year-olds and 895 (47.06%) in the older group. The dmft/DMFT and subgroups were statistically significantly different in terms of age groups, living areas, and geographical regions (dmft/DMFT d-subgroup and D-subgroup p < 0.01), but only for DMFT for sex. The ORs estimated by logistic regression by total caries experience showed a protective effect for 12 year old subjects and those living in southern provinces, an OR of 0.52 (95%CI 0.43-0.64) and an OR of 0.26 (95%CI 0.21-0.32), respectively. Conclusions: Dental caries in African countries, including Burundi, remains a major problem affecting the general health and wellbeing of the population. Tackling untreated caries requires a multifaceted approach, including strengthening oral health infrastructure, promoting oral health education, providing affordable dental services, and encouraging healthier eating habits.

Keywords: Burundi; DMFT index; caries epidemiology; children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Geographical localization of Burundi, and areas of the study. The colored lines enclose the areas where the study took place.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Total caries experience expressed as mean and standard deviation in the different areas of the study.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Caries experience in primary and permanent dentition dmft/DMFT, as the mean and standard deviation in the different areas of the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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