Relationship between gingivitis severity, caries experience and orthodontic anomalies in 13-15 year-old adolescents in Brno, Czech Republic

Objectives: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess oral health in adolescents selected from the ELSPAC (European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood) Brno group and complete thus the ELSPAC series of studies on child general health. Material and Methods: Randomly selected children from the ELSPAC group (n=780) were examined clinically for dental and periodontal status, dental plaque, dental calculus and orthodontic anomalies. The following clinical parameters were assessed: DMFT score and its components, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and calculus index (CSI). GI, PI and CSI were recorded on selected teeth. The presence/absence of orthodontic anomalies and their severity were recorded. ANOVA test for quantitative and chi(2) test for qualitative parameters evaluation were used. Results: Mean DMFT of the group was 2.82 (SE 0.36), share of caries-free children 25.4%. Mean GI index of the cohort was 0.204 (SE 0.011), grade 0 was found in 36.9% children, grade 1 in 43.0%, and grade 2 in 19.5%. Statistical significant associations (p<0.05) were observed in GI and DMFT, GI and DT value, GI and severity of orthodontic anomaly; significant difference was found in GI of caries-free and treated children vs treatment need and in PI value between children with gingivitis vs healthy ones. Conclusion: The results demonstrated a relatively high caries experience, low level of gingival inflammation and relation between GI and DMFT, particularly in D component, and between GI and orthodontic anomalies.