Iron deficiency and dental caries. A pilot study
Sintes, J.L.; Rosa, J.; Freund, T.
Clinical Preventive Dentistry 5(2): 3-5
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0163-9633 PMID: 6603947 Document Number: 209722
Using the albino rat as a model, it was demonstrated that Fe-deficient animals have a high dental caries susceptiblity. Therefore, a pilot study was designed to investigate the possibility of correlating Fe deficiency and dental caries prevalence in human populations. The study sample, from a semirural community in Puerto Rico, consisted of children whose mothers had been Fe-deficient during pregnancy. Children were examined at 5 yr of age. The examination consisted of clinical (visual) observations, anthropometrics, dental studies including oral hygiene and DMF [decayed, missing or filled] indices and salivary and blood collection. A survey of the community was done to appraise the social and economic status. Salivary samples were examined for several parameters and divided into subgroups on the basis of Hb levels at < 1 yr of age. Although Hb at 5 yr of age were all normal, significant differences (P .ltoreq. 0.05) were found in the patients' amylase and Ca binding protein contents and oral hygiene indices.