An epidemiological study of dental caries and associated risk factors among primary school children in the Aileu Municipality, Timor-Leste.
CONCLUSION: Dental caries was highly prevalent among this population and urgent action is required to reduce the population burden of this disease. Malnutrition, which was not measured for this study, is highly prevalent among children in Timor-Leste and could explain the high caries rates in this population. The effect of malnutrition on dental caries and vice-versa needs further investigation. Programs and policies are urgently needed for oral health promotion and also the prevention and management of dental caries in Timorese children. These strategies should also address the urgent need for emergency dental services aimed at pain relief, first aid for oral infections and restorations, given the high prevalence of advanced disease in this child population.
PMID: 31607139 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Rural and Remote Health - Category: Rural Health Tags: Rural Remote Health Source Type: research
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