5145.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 12:30 PM

Abstract #13727

Prevalence of early childhood caries among Head Start children in American Samoa

James B. Quartey, DDS, MPH, Dental Department, LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Pago Pago, 96799, American Samoa, (684) 699-7075, kquartey@hotmail.com and Lepetia A. Letuli, BS, Department of Health, American Samoa Government, Pago Pago, 96799, American Samoa.

American Samoa is an American territory of a group of islands in the south pacific. There are nine dentists serving the population of about 62,000. A recent WHO survey of school age children and adults indicated a very high dental caries rate. There has been no study of the prevalence of dental caries in preschool children of the Territory. This survey was to determine the prevalence of caries among Head Start children to serve as a baseline and for program planning. A stratified random sample of 11 schools out of 54 were selected. There were a total of 208 children screened with 50.5 percent of them being females. The mean age was 4.2 years. Only 13.0 percent of the children were caries free. The dmft ranged from 0 (13.0 percent ) to 20 (1 percent) with a of 6.4 (SD 4.64) . Thirty-seven percent of 3 year-olds, 58 percent of 4 year-olds and 75 percent of 5 year olds had a dmft of five or more. The teeth with the highest decay rate were the mandibular primary second molars. The prevalence of early childhood caries among Head Start Children in American Samoa is high and most of the decayed teeth are untreated. There is a great need for dental services for preschool children in the Territory.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Recognise early childhood caries. 2. Discuss the impact of "Americanization" on the oral health of Samoans

Keywords: Early Childhood Caries, Head Start

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: LBJ Tropical Medical Center Early Chidhood Education Centers
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am an employee of the LBJ Medical Center. We provide dental services for the early childhood education centers

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA