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Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse the serotype distribution of S. mutans and their association with caries activity in school children from Córdoba, Argentina., Materials and Methods: Clinical examination was performed in 133 children. The dmft+DMFT and Significant Caries (SiC) indices were calculated to identify individuals with high caries activity. After DNA extractions of S. mutans strains, serotypes were determined by PCR amplifications. The median caries activity of each serotype group was compared using a non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test., Results: We obtained S. mutans strains from stimulated saliva of 94 children. The mean dmft+DMFT was 4.14 and the mean SiC index was 8.65. Serotype c was the most frequent (53.2%), followed by e (31.9%), f (8.5%) and k (6.4%). The comparison between the SiC and Non-Sic groups showed significant differences in the frequency of serotypes c and k. The median caries activity was non-significant in the different serotypes., Conclusion: The difference between the serotype frequencies detected in Argentina compared to those of other countries could be related with contrasting dietary habits. The results obtained in the present study would increase the knowledge about the epidemiology of dental caries in children from Argentina.

A one-year longitudinal survey was carried out on a sample of the Cordoba City 4-year old kindergarten population (n = 820); so as to determine the role of several variables upon the incidence of caries. The dmf-t, dmf-s, oral hygiene and oral health indexes as well as incidence rates and caries relative risks of caries were inversely related to the socioeconomic level (SEL) of the children involved. Thus in the SEL III (typical proletariat, non-typical proletariat and sub-proletariat) children, the relative risk of caries was almost five times higher (RR = 4.9) than in the SEL I (entrepreneureal and managerial bourgeoisie) children. In SEL I, almost all new lesions occurred on smooth surfaces (61.2%), while in SEL III the molar occlusal faces were mainly affected (66.3%). Daily sugar intake was higher in SEL III children but experience of caries showed poor correlation to the amount (r = 0.40) and frequency (r = 0.52) of carbohydrate intake. No significant interlevel differences were observed in the biochemical salivary parameters analyzed. Assisted toothbrushing and fluoride topications strongly lowered the incidence of caries among SEL III children, also making the corresponding rates fall almost to SEL I values (0.31, 0.23 and 0.22 vs. 0.21). In conclusion, SEL III children should be treated prophylactically with effective preventive measures, because of their susceptibility to caries. Such preventive measures include assisted toothbrushing and fluoride topications.

An investigation undertaken into a sample of 1,115 five-year old children attending kindergartens in the city of Córdoba (Argentina) is described. The investigation aimed at establishing the prevalence and distribution of dental caries by socioeconomic level. Research showed that the prevalence of caries had decreased 55.0% in relation to the 1973 figure, while the proportion of children with healthy teeth was 26.7% greater. The frequency and seriousness of the caries increased as the child's social position declined. At the highest socioeconomic level NES I = entrepreneurial and managerial bourgeoisie), the rates of caries were significantly lower than those at the lowest socioeconomic level (NES III = typical proletariat, nontypical proletariat and sub-proletariat) presenting dmf-t of 0.8 and 2.7, and dmf-s of 0.9 and 4.9, respectively. In NES III, the dmf-t main components were decayed and missing teeth, while in NES I filled teeth were the main components. The proportion of children with no experience of caries was 63.1% in NES I and 11.5% in NES III. Inversly, the rate dental health was higher in NES I (8.8) than in NES III (5.1). The cost per child required for the restorative treatment in approximately two and a half times greater in NES III than in NES I. Considering the sample as a whole the expenditure required for NES III would be more than ten times higher than that required for NES I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)