Timings of permanent tooth emergence in children of rural Vanuatu, Melanesia
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Date
2021-12-30
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pasifika Medical Association
Rights
© 2021 Webb E, et al This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Introduction: Global patterning and timing of permanent tooth emergence is influenced by ethnicity, with no known timings reported for ethnic Melanesian children living in the tropical archipelago of Vanuatu.
Aim: To determine timings of permanent tooth emergence and sequencing for children who reside in rural Vanuatu
Methods: Children aged 4-17 years (n=1026), part of a larger oral health cross-sectional study, were examined recording all permanent teeth present, across four spatially separated islands. Binary logistic modelling established children’s median age of emergence of each permanent tooth for each study area.
Findings: The median emergence of first permanent molars for girls is 4.9-years and 5.3 -years for boys. In all locations, children had all permanent teeth emerge by age 11 years (excluding 3rd molars). Clinically important differences exist for permanent tooth emergence by study area.
Discussion: Permanent teeth emerge earlier for Ni-Vanuatu children compared to both Melanesian children of Papua New Guinea as well as other ethnicities across Oceanic countries. These results can be used as a set standard for Vanuatu. Early tooth emergence suggests oral health education programmes should target pregnant women with clinical preventive strategies commencing for their children before 5-years of age.
Description
Keywords
Melanesia, Oceania, permanent teeth, set standard, Vanuatu
Citation
Webb E, Stewart C, Woods L, Dunlop PF, Tangis J, Stephens J, Dennison E. (2021). Timings of permanent tooth emergence in children of rural Vanuatu, Melanesia. Pacific Health Dialog. 21. 8. (pp. 510-518).