Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to compare clinical data regarding oral status (DMFT/DMFS indices) and streptococci or lactobacilli counts in stimulated whole saliva in two groups of children, aged 6 and 8 years.
Methods: Seventy-nine boys and 93 girls aged 6 (84 subjects) and 8 (88 subjects) years old were selected. DMFT/dmft, DMFS/dmfs and OHI-S indices were recorded. Mutans streptococci (Sm) and lactobacilli (Lb) salivary levels were assessed using commercially available strip tests and were rated from 0 to 3 and from 0 to 4 in the group as a whole.
Results: Mean dmfs was 9.06 +/- 10.80, made up of ds = 7.28 +/- 9.54, fs = 1.19 +/- 3.64 and ms = 0.59 +/- 3.47. Mean DMFS was 0.73 +/- 1.91, made of DS = 0.54 +/- 1.29, FS = 0.08 +/- 0.56 and MS = 0.11 +/- 0.56. Statistically significant differences were found for both Sm and Lb scores between those with and without caries in the primary teeth (P < 0.05). The different Lb scores were also significant in relation to caries in permanent teeth in older children.
Conclusion: A high proportion of children had some caries experience, and were in need of treatment.