Factors and prevalence of tooth erosion in children

The prevalence of tooth erosion in 12-year-old childrenObjectivesTo establish the prevalence of tooth erosion in a representative sample of 12-year-old children in Leicestershire and Rutland. To determine if gender, ethnic group, deprivation or caries experience influences the prevalence of erosion.MethodsA random sample of 1,753 12-year-olds resident in Leicestershire and Rutland were examined in 62 schools; 906 were boys and 847 girls; 1,379 were Caucasian and 316 Asian. Tooth erosion was assessed using the index employed in the survey of Children's Dental Health in England and Wales (1993). The Townsend index was used to record deprivation.ResultsTooth erosion was found in 59.7% of the children, with 2.7% exhibiting exposed dentine. Significantly more boys than girls; Caucasian than Asian children; and those with caries experience, had erosion present (chi-square for all P