The association of
enamel hypoplasia (EHP) with
dental caries of the deciduous dentition was determined in 1,344 rural Chinese children aged 3-5 years. The degree of EHP was determined using a modified
DDE Index. Number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth and tooth surfaces were determined for all subjects. Anthropometric assessment of
body weight and height was done as an indirect measure of the nutritional status of the children. Results from the study showed that the prevalence of EHP was 22.3% in the total study population. The prevalence of
dental caries was 82.3%. There was no difference in the caries experience between males and females. Significantly greater caries experience was observed among the children living in a low socioeconomic county and children with low height for age. Children with low birth weight showed a slightly higher percentage of caries than those born with normal
birth weight. Children with
enamel hypoplasia demonstrated a significantly higher caries experience than those who did not have such defects. The results of this study consistently support previous studies that found
nutritional deficiency to have an important impact on tooth development and susceptibility to
dental diseases. This study also indicates that the presence of
enamel hypoplasia may be a predisposing factor for initiation and progression of
dental caries, and a predictor of high caries susceptibility in a community, particularly if
fluoride programs are not implemented.