Журнал бактериологии и паразитологии

Абстрактный

Streptococcus mutans dental caries in patients attending Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Ethiopia

Demisew Shenkute, Tsegahun Asfaw

Background: Dental caries is an irreversible microbial disease of calcified dental tissues. Streptococcus mutans is a bacterial resident of the oral cavity, which is considered the main etiologic agent of dental caries in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dental caries caused by Streptococcus mutans .

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending the dental clinic of Debre Berhan Referral Hospital. Demographic and clinical information of the patients was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Dental plaques from all patients were collected with forceps and placed in phosphate-buffered saline for further identification of Streptococcus mutans .

Result: Of the 115 study participants, 56 (48.7%) and 59 (51.3%) were male and female, respectively. The overall prevalence of Streptococcus mutans was 79 (68.7%) among patients with dental caries. 25 (21.7%) participants had bleeding from gemstones, and 47 (40.9%) participants had previous dental caries.

Conclusion: In this study, Streptococcus mutans is again a common public health problem among patients with dental caries. Soft drink consumption, oral debris and gingival index were associated risk factors for Streptococcus mutans dental caries .