Caries status in 12-year-old children, geographical location and socioeconomic conditions across European countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding of socioeconomic context might enable more efficient evidence-based preventive strategies in oral health.

Aim

The study assessed the caries-related socioeconomic macro-factors in 12-year-olds across European countries.

Design

This systematic review involved epidemiological surveys on the caries status of 12-year-olds from 2011 to 2022. DMFT was analyzed in relation to gross national income (GNI), United Nations Statistical Division geographical categorization of European countries (M49), unemployment rate, Human Development Index (HDI), and per capita expenditure on dental health care. A meta-analysis was performed for countries reporting data on DMFT, stratified by GNI, and geographical location of European countries, using a random-effects m

SUBMITTER: Vukovic A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11626496 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature