An epidemiological investigation in relative importance of factors associated with dental caries

Aim: To identify key discriminating factors associated with dental caries status by linear discriminant function analysis. A cross sectional study design was employed using clinical examination and questionnaire method. Dental caries examinations based on WHQ criteria and questionnaire method was performed on 500 subjects aged 14-40 years were selected randomly. These were separately classificd according to increasing individual DMFT scores and combined into positively and negatively health oriented group. A stepwise discriminant function analysis was used to identify the important discriminant factors associated with dental caries and also to segregate the subjects as those who were poor and good dental caries status.The subjects with low DMFT index scores reported that they brushed their teeth most frequently, they change their toothbrush within three months period, users of vertical & circular method of brushing and they rinse the mouth with water frequently. The subjects with high DMFT index scores reported who have frequent sweet consumption for longer duration, living in a larger family with higher income. The discriminant function analysis showed that 98.14% of subjects were found to be positively health oriented and corresponding percentage for the negatively health oriented towards dental caries (DMFT) was 93.47%. Frequent tooth brushing, vertical & circular methods of brushing and mouth ringing habit with water are important discriminant fuctory associated with lower dental caries. Duration of sweet consumption and frequency of sweet consumption are important discriminant factors associated with higher dental caries.