Microbiological evaluation of salivary Streptococcus mutans from children of age 5-7 years, pre- and post-atraumatic restorative treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to monitor Streptococcus mutans (SM) counts in saliva of children aged 5-7 years old over a period of 6 months with the subsequent use of Fuji IX, glass ionomer cement in atraumatic restorative technique (ART). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred children were selected to receive ART using Fuji IX glass ionomer cement. Caries status was recorded using DMFT index (WHO 1997) and revaluated after 6 months using DMFS index (WHO 1979). Saliva was collected for microbiological assessment of SM count on four occasions, baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after ART approach. The results of the microbiological tests were statistically analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney rank test. RESULTS: The results showed a significant reduction of SM levels in saliva immediately 1 week following the ART approach with mean SM counts of 1.5763 (10(6) CFU/ml) and 1.1286 (10(5) CFU/ml) pre- and 1 week post–ART, respectively. Reduction in the SM count was seen in 89.47% of children after 1 week of ART treatment. The mean SM count after 1 month and 6 months post-ART was 1.4814 (10(6) CFU/ml) and 1.4722(10(6) CFU/ml), respectively. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from the results that the ART technique was successful in reducing the SM counts in saliva significantly for a period of 1 week post treatment. Although the mean SM counts remained less than the baseline after 6 month evaluation, a trend toward re-establishment of SM to the baseline count was noticed.