Dental Survey for Children of Luang Prabang Province, Laos

A dental survey in Luang Prabang Province, Laos, revealed alarmingly high rates of tooth decay among children, with permanent tooth decay affecting 75% to 85% and primary tooth decay reaching nearly 90%. The study, involving 301 students aged 6 to 12 years, found that 40.2% had experienced caries in permanent teeth, while the fatality rate due to caries exceeded 30%. These findings underscore the urgent need for preventive measures and treatment programs to curb the progression of dental caries in Laos. The research employed comprehensive oral examinations to assess decay experience, surface index, decay rates, and treatment outcomes, providing critical data for public health interventions.

Park, Y.-S., Cho, J.-W., Yoo, H.-J., Nitthasack, P., & Kim, D.-H. (2023). Dental Survey for Children of Luang Prabang Province, Laos. International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 19(4), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.15236/ijcpd.2023.19.4.69