Culture plays role in high caries score

Traditional Arab culture may be partly to blame for the higher prevalence of caries among male Middle Eastern children, a new report suggests.

The practice among Arab mothers of indulging sons may explain the lower rate and severity of caries among young girls, wrote Dr Raghad Hashim, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates, and colleagues.

"Males are usually given more freedom to go out and buy sweets than females, because Islamic culture puts many restrictions on females," the team wrote in the journal Dental News. "Females may be better...advised."

The westernisation of the traditional Arabic diet also plays a role, the researchers suggested. "Data from surveys carried out in Arabian countries has shown a change in the dietary patterns of mothers and children, with a trend towards the consumption of food rich in fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar."

The report reviewed existing epidemiological studies. Data showed preschool children in the Middle East demonstrated DMFT rating of between 1.1 and 8.6.

In comparison, Swedish preschool children displayed a DMFT rating of 0.8, while Scotland posted 3.1. These figures indicate a large gap between Arab countries and developed European countries, surveyed during the same period.

Raghad and colleagues note that regionally poor dietary patterns, including subsidied sugar production, mean the high caries prevalence is likely to continue.

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