Enamel defects in children with coeliac disease

Abstract

Aim: This was to investigate the prevalence of enamel developmental defects in a group of children with a history of coeliac disease.

Methods: A study group of children attending the Dept. Paediatrics (Leeds General Infirmary), born between 1985 and 1986 and subsequently diagnosed and treated for coeliac disease (CD) were recruited. A group of age/sex-matched children attending the Paediatric Dentistry department were used as a control group (Cont). Examinations were carried out for enamel defects and opacities (DDE index), dmf, dmfs, DMF and DMFS (BASCD method), and a full medical and dental history were obtained.

Results: Significantly more children in the CD group had a greater number of enamel defects than controls for both primary (p=<0.02) and permanent (p=<0.001) dentitions. Opacities in both primary and permanent teeth were statistically significantly greater in the CD group than controls (p=<0.04 and p=<0.001 respectively). Dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions was less in the CD group compared with the control group of children.

Conclusion: Coeliac disease was associated with an increased prevalence of developmental enamel defects.