A comparative study on the prevalence of enamel defects and dental caries in children and adolescents with and without coeliac disease

Abstract

Aim: This was to test for differences in the prevalence of enamel defects and dental caries between children and adolescents with and without coeliac disease (CD).

Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 27 children and adolescents, aged 3 to 18 years with CD, and a control group of 27 healthy subjects matched by age and gender. Enamel defects were diagnosed and classified according to criteria described by Aine [1986], while dental caries was recorded as DMFT(S) and dmft(s) indices [Koch, 1970]. Dental plaque was recorded by the Plaque Control Record Index. Information related to medical history, oral hygiene habits, use of fluoride, history of dental trauma and socioeconomic factors was collected by a structured parental questionnaire. Also, in children with CD the age of initiation and diagnosis of the disease was recorded.

Statistics: The chi square and the paired t-test were used for the statistical analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data respectively. The logistic multiple regression analysis was applied to test whether the time period between the initiation and diagnosis of CD and other related factors had a significant (p<or=0.05) impact on the presence of enamel defects.

Results: The prevalence of enamel defects was higher in the CD group. Differences in frequency and symmetrical distribution of the defects were statistically significant between CD and control groups. With respect to dental caries, significant differences in the mean values of DMFS/dmfs were found between the two groups. Higher values of DMFS/dmfs were recorded in the control group.

Conclusion: CD increases the risk of developing enamel defects in permanent teeth but not of having dental caries.