Erika Norfitriah

Dr. Erika Norfitriah


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 December 2024 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZRZahirrah Begam Mohamed Rasheed
Zahirrah Begam Mohamed Rasheed
CSChew Wei Sheng
Chew Wei Sheng
ENErika Norfitriah
Erika Norfitriah
NNNurrul Shaqinah Nasruddin
Nurrul Shaqinah Nasruddin
FYFarinawati Yazid
Farinawati Yazid
Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that results from interactions of susceptible host, cariogenic microorganisms, and fermentable carbohydrate sources. Our study explored oral microbiome shifts in children before and after dental treatment. Methods: Initial saliva samples were collected from caries free, moderate caries, and severe caries children based on the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT/dmft) index. After three months of dental treatment, second saliva samples were gathered from the moderate and severe caries groups. The microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based high-throughput sequencing. Results: Most children with caries were between seven and eight years of age (40%), from middle-income group families (61%), highly educated parents (18% secondary level and 75% tertiary level) with good oral hygiene practices. There was a significant increase in alpha-diversity post-dental intervention. Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria were abundant across all samples. Post-treatment, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetota, and Synergistota significantly increased (p < 0.05). At genus level, a decreased trend was seen in Streptococcus, Prevotella_7, and Rothia and an increased trend was seen in Fusobacterium, Neisseria, Haemophilus, and Leptotrichia, but was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study on Malaysian children highlights that dental caries are influenced by factors like age, socioeconomic status, and diet, with oral microbiome diversity increasing post-treatment, though some harmful bacteria persist, indicating a need for targeted oral health education and further research on probiotics’ role in caries prevention.