Enamel defects in children with coeliac disease

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

This was to investigate the prevalence of enamel developmental defects in a group of children with a history of coeliac
disease.

Methods

A study group of children attending the Dept. Paediatrics (Leeds General Infirmary), born between 1985 and 1986
and subsequently diagnosed and treated for coeliac disease (CD) were recruited. A group of age/sex-matched children attending the
Paediatric Dentistry department were used as a control group (Cont). Examinations were carried out for enamel defects and opacities
(DDE index), dmf, dmfs, DMF and DMFS (BASCD method), and a full medical and dental history were obtained.

Results

Significantly more children in the CD group had a greater number of enamel defects than controls for both primary (p=<0.02) and permanent (p=<0.001) dentitions. Opacities in both primary and permanent teeth were statistically significantly greater in the CD group than controls (p=<0.04 and p=<0.001 respectively). Dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions was less in the CD group compared with the control group of children.

Conclusion

Coeliac disease was associated with an increased prevalence of
developmental enamel defects.

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