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ABSTRACT
Aim
AIM To assess the salivary levels of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) obtained from children
of different ethnic backgrounds in Shah Alam, Malaysia and investigate the possible relationships with caries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and twenty primary school children were included. They were divided into caries
and caries-free groups. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each participant using spitting method. The salivary
elements were measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and Pearson's
correlation analysis were performed.
RESULTS Salivary Cu and Zn levels were significantly higher in children with dental caries compared to those caries-free
(p < 0.05). Moreover, these elements had a positive correlation with dental caries (Cu: r=0.698, p<0.001; Zn: r=0.181, p<0.05).
No significant variations in Mn and Fe were observed between caries and caries-free group (p>0.05). Additionally, there were
significant differences in salivary Zn and Fe among different age groups (p<0.05) and highly significant differences in
salivary Cu, Mn and Fe among different ethnic groups (p<0.001). However, all elements exhibited no significant differences
between males and females.
CONCLUSION The salivary Cu and Zn levels showed significant differences between caries and caries-free groups. The
findings also revealed significant variations in the levels of salivary Cu, Mn and Fe among different ethnic groups and
salivary Zn and Fe among different age groups.
PLUMX METRICS
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Issue:
Vol.14 – n.2/2013
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Harvard: A. S. Hussein, H. F. Ghasheer, N. M. Ramli, R. J. Schroth, M. I. Abu-Hassan (2013) "Salivary trace elements in relation to dental caries in a group of multi-ethnic schoolchildren in Shah Alam, Malaysia", European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 14(2), pp113-118. doi:
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