Caries experience among children 6-12 years with betathalassemia major syndrome in comparison to healthy control in Baghdad-Iraq

Abstract EN

Background : Thalassemia syndromes are characterized by various degrees of ineffective hematopoietic and increased hemolysis.

This study was conducted to determine whether Beta-Thalassemia major (βtm) is associated with an increased risk of dental caries.

Materials and methods : A total sample of 50 patients were examined, who were attending the Thalassemia center in Al-Karama Hospital with an age range (6-12) years.

A similar number of healthy controls matching with age and gender were involved.

Decayed, missing, filled teeth / surfaces Indices were used for detection of caries experience in permanent and primary teeth according to the criteria described by World Health Organization (1987).

Results : Mean values of decayed, missing and filled teeth / surfaces for primary dentition and standard deviation for βtm patients were (4.64±2.86 / 12.8 ±10.42) respectively, while in control groups were found equal to (3.24 ±2.95 / 7.98 ± 8.63) respectively with statistical significant difference in mean value of dmft / dmfs.

Total males and females demonstrated higher dmft / dmfs values (4.45± 2.81, 4.73 ±2.96 / 12.91 ±11.33, 12.69± 9.72) in βtm compared to healthy control (3.42±2.63, 3.04± 3.30 / 8.34± 7.99, 7.58 ±9.44) with statistical not significant difference.

Data analysis showed no statistical significant differences between both groups at age 6-8 years while significant at age 9-12 years.

For the permanent dentition the DMFT / DMFS mean values and standard deviation for βtm patients were (3.38±2.75 / 4.08 ± 4.22).

respectively, while in control groups were found equal to (2.20 ±1.32 / 3.16 ±2.56) respectively with statistical not significant difference in mean value of DMFT, while highly significant for DMFS.

No statistical significant differences was found in the mean values of DMFT / DMFS between βtm and control groups concerning total males and females (p>0.05).

No statistical significant differences in DMFT / DMFS mean values were recorded between both groups at all ages (p>0.05), except at age 9-12 year for DMFT it was found highly significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion : Thalassemia is associated with higher dental caries experience so efforts should be made to ensure access to preventive care.