Caries reduction in Belgian 12-year-old children related to socioeconomic status

This study compares dental caries reduction in Belgian 12-year-old children of different socioeconomic status in 1983 and 1998. Moreover, the relative effect of dental health factors on caries reduction is estimated. In the region of Brussels, children in the 7th grade at the same schools participated in cohort 1983 (n = 533) and in cohort 1998 (n = 4961), DMFT, DMFS, and dental fluorosis were clinically recorded. The socioeconomic status of the children was established on the basis of their parents' education and profession. Data on children's home-based and professional dental health care habits were registered. Caries reduction was observed in both privileged and non-privileged children. However, non-privileged children, in cohort 1983 and cohort 1998, had significantly, higher DMF scores than privileged children (P < 0.01). Dental fluorosis was more often identified in privileged children than in non-privileged ones. Most of the dental factors relating to children's home based and professional care were associated with caries reduction. Caries reduction was strongly related to socioeconomic status; non-privileged children registered lower than their counterparts.