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Prevalence of dental caries and Streptococcus mutans in Meo of Northern Thailand
Author(s) -
Reichart Peter A.,
Gehring Friedrich,
Becker Jürgen,
Geerlings Heinz
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1986.tb01496.x
Subject(s) - medicine , streptococcus mutans , dentistry , dental plaque , prevalence , population , environmental health , genetics , bacteria , biology
The prevalence of dental caries was studied in 505 Meo, a minority of Northern Thailand, using the DMFT index. Plaque material from all patients was examined qualitatively for S. mutans. The DMFT (dmft) index score ranged between 1.69 and 7.06 with a mean of 2.17 ± 3.24 for men and 3.45 ± 3.72 for women. There was a statistical difference in caries prevalence between males and females ( P <0.05). There was no statistical correlation between miang chewing and caries prevalence. Fluoride concentration of water samples was between 0.043 and 0.077 ppm F ‐ . Of 505 plaque samples, 13.3% were positive for S. mutans, mostly of biotype I. Compared to other Northern Thai hill tribes and the Thai rural population, the Meo appear to have a higher dental caries prevalence rate.