Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Dentistry
Department of Dental Management Sciences
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
Research has indicated that fissure sealants should be placed within four years after eruption. Due to considerable variations in the eruption times of molars, this recommendation is of limited value from a public health perspective. This study, therefore, sought to provide empirical support for a public health fissure sealant placement timeframe protocol. The researchers analysed the first and second molar eruption patterns of black South African children aged five to seven and 11 to 16 years in relation to caries (tooth decay) experienced using the 1999 to 2002 National Children’s Oral Health Survey. The researcher found that by the age of seven, 90% of first molars had erupted, with a caries experience of 3%. By 14 years of age, the erupted first molar caries experience was 20%. The 13 and 14 year-olds presented with 86% and 98% erupted second molars with a caries experience of 11% and 20% respectively. The findings suggested that during school-based fissure sealant programmes involving black South African children, first molars should be targeted at the age of seven (Grade 1), or as soon as possible thereafter. However, caries protection may still be achieved until 13 years of age (Grade 7). Furthermore, second molars should be sealed between the ages of 11 and 13 years (Grade 5 to Grade 7)
Contact person: Dr TC Postma.
The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) or tooth decay in South Africa and to examine the link between ECC and socio-demographic factors, area-based measures of sugar consumption and water fluoride levels. ECC is a disease where bacterial processes damage hard tooth structure. This eventually leads to dental cavities. The researcher focused his study on children between the ages of 36 and 71 months. He found that socio-economic factors played a major role in the prevalence of ECC. In addition, he found that coloured children were at a higher risk of developing ECC, while white children were at a lower risk. The study findings support the implementation of an integrated primary oral health care strategy to address the underlying socio-economic determinants of ECC in South Africa
Contact person: Dr TC Postma.
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