DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12090939.v1
title: Data on the prevalence and severity of caries in children in Italy, in relation to socioeconomic inequalities

description: This fileset consists of:Four datasets in <b>.xlsx</b> file formatFour files in <b>.pdf </b>file format, these were derived using the online statistical software MEDCalcOne dataset in <b>.dta</b> file formatTwo datasets in <b>.smcl</b> file format<br>The datasets in .<b>xlsx </b>file format are as follows: <b>caries distribution.xlsx</b>: The file includes the raw data on caries distribution<b>GDP_caries.xlsx</b>: The file contains the raw data on the association between Gross National Product (GNP) and caries.<b>GDP_Gini.xlsx</b>: The file includes data on the association between GNP and the Gini index.<b>GINi_Caries.xlsx</b>: The file includes data on the association between caries and the Gini index.<br>The files in <b>.pdf</b> file format are as follows:proportions calculator ICDAS5_6 South Central.pdf, Comparison of proportions ICDAS5_6 NEast_islands.pdf, Comparison of proportions ICDAS5_6 north-east-South.pdf and Comparison of proportions ICDAS5_6 Nort-West_Islands.pdf.These files contain data derived using the online statistical software MEDCalc.<b>proportions calculator ICDAS5_6 South Central.pdf</b>: The file contains the statistical analysis results of comparison of ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) scores between South and Central Italy.<b>Comparison of proportions ICDAS5_6 NEast_islands.pdf</b>: The file contains the statistical analysis results of comparison of ICDAS scores between North-East Italy and Italian islands.<b>Comparison of proportions ICDAS5_6 north-east-South.pdf</b>: The file contains the statistical analysis results of comparison of ICDAS scores between North-East Italy and South Italy.<b>Comparison of proportions ICDAS5_6 Nort-West_Islands.pdf</b>: The file contains the statistical analysis results of comparison of ICDAS scores between North-West Italy and Italian islands.<br>Dataset <b>GDP_ICDAS.dta</b> contains the raw data of the comparison between GNP and ICDAS scores.Datasets <b>GDP_caries.smcl </b>and <b>log odds ratio .smcl </b>contain log analysis data.<br><b>Study aims and methodology</b>: This study aimed to present the results of the second National Survey conducted in Italy on children’s oral health, reporting caries prevalence and severity in 12-year old children and describing the caries figures related to the geographical sections in which income inequalities are present.<br>The survey protocol was approved by the ethical committee of the University of Sassari (Italy) (AOUNIS: 29/16). An information leaflet describing the aim of the project was distributed to parents/guardians of the children, requesting their child’s participation in the survey. Only children with the leaflet signed by parents/guardians were enrolled. All methods were performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (<b>https://www.wma.net/policiespost/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects</b>).<br>In total, 7,660 children were recruited and 7,064 were examined, 3,459 males and 3,605 females; 596 (7.78% of the recruited sample) were excluded: 414 children had no parents’ signed consent and 182 were not present in the classroom at the moment of the examination.<br>Data were collected by means of clinical examinations using a plain mirror (Hahnenkratt, Königsbach, Germany) and the WHO ballpoint probe (Asa-Dental, Milan, Italy) under artificial light. Caries data were recorded using the two-digit codes related to ICDAS for each tooth surface: the former, for tooth surface classification, choosing among sound, sealed, restored, crowned or missing, and the latter, for the caries stage assessment, choosing among six scores, from sound to an extensive distinct cavity with visible dentine. The score 1 (first visual change in enamel) was not recorded since it required air drying for proper evaluation.<br>The Gross National Product (GNP) per capita and the Gini Index as a measure of income inequality in each Italian section were recorded and used as a measure of inequalities.<br>For more details on the methodology and statistical analysis, please read the related article. <br><b>Software used</b>: Analysis was performed using the STATA 16 statistical software. File GDP_ICDAS.dta can be accessed using the STATA software.<br>