J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2013 Jun;37(2):103-109.

Dental health capacity of the first permanent molars among children and adolescents in Korea for the year 2010

• Lee SH
• Ju HJ
• Park SY
• Oh HW
• Lee HS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to estimate the dental health capacity of the first permanent molars among children and adolescents in Korea and to assess its related factors.
METHODS
Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Korea National Oral Health Survey (2006 and 2010). The subjects of the present study included a total of 34,975 people aged 6, 8, 10, 12, and 15 years (5,347 in 2006 and 29,628 in 2010). The dental health capacity of the first permanent molars was calculated using Clune's methods. Changes in dental health capacity were analyzed according to year, age, sex, and region. We used a multiple regression model to identify relevant factors for dental health capacity of the first permanent molars.
RESULTS
The dental health capacity values were calculated according to age group as follows: 6 years, 99.66%; 12 years, 96.50%; and 15 years, 95.24%. The dental health capacity in 2010 was estimated to be higher than that in the year 2006. The increment rate of dental health capacity was higher for girls than for boys. The dental health capacity of the first permanent molars was related to the following factors: year, age, sex, region, perceived oral health status, frequency of tooth brushing per day, frequency of cariogenic snack intake per day, and number of teeth with pit and fissure sealant. Among these factors, number of teeth with pit and fissure sealant had the greatest effect on the dental health capacity of the first permanent molars.
CONCLUSIONS
The dental health capacity of the first permanent molars was higher in rural areas than in the metropolis and cities. Therefore, the pit and fissure sealant program, apart from the health insurance coverage, must be revitalized for children and adolescents in rural areas.

Keyword

Dental caries; Epidemiology; Korea National Oral Health Survey; Molar

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Aged
Child
Dental Caries
Humans
Insurance, Health
Korea
Molar
Oral Health
Snacks
Tooth

Reference

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