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Article

Changes in Caries Prevalence and Oral Hygiene Skills Among Preschool-Aged Children in Lithuania Between 2000 and 2010

by
Jaunė Razmienė
1,*,
Giedrius Vanagas
2,
Eglė Aida Bendoraitienė
1,
Vilija Andriuškevičienė
1 and
Eglė Slabšinskienė
1
1
Department of Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
2
Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Medicina 2012, 48(7), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina48070054
Submission received: 20 April 2012 / Accepted: 30 July 2012 / Published: 4 August 2012

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with the prevalence and severity of dental caries as well oral hygiene habits among 4- to 6-year-old children in Kaunas (Lithuania) in 2000 and 2010.
Material and Methods
. A repeated cross-sectional study was carried out to reveal the changes in dental caries prevalence in 2000 and 2010. The study population comprised 4- to 6-year-old children living in Kaunas city and attending kindergartens. The study consisted of two parts: questionnaires on oral health behavior and clinical examination of children’s teeth by the World Health Organization methodology.
Results
. A total of 941 4–6-year-old children were examined in 2000 and 2010. The prevalence of dental caries increased from 85.4% in 2000 to 88.4% in 2010; however, the difference was not significant (P=0.28). A significant increase in the dmf-t index, describing the severity of dental caries, was observed (from 7.42 in 2000 to 12.03 in 2010, P<0.001). The percentage of 4- to 5-yearold girls and 5-year-old boys brushing their teeth regularly decreased in 2010. During the period of the study, a significant change in the accumulation of plaque on children’s tooth surfaces was documented (P=0.001).
Conclusions. Comparing 2000 and 2010, no significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries among 4- to 6-year-old children in Kaunas was observed; however, the severity of dental caries differed significantly. A significant decrease in regular toothbrushing skills was documented for 4- and 5-year-old girls and 5-year-old boys. The Silness-Loe oral hygiene index was assessed as satisfactory.
Keywords: dental caries; prevalence, intensity; dmf index; oral hygiene dental caries; prevalence, intensity; dmf index; oral hygiene

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MDPI and ACS Style

Razmienė, J.; Vanagas, G.; Bendoraitienė, E.A.; Andriuškevičienė, V.; Slabšinskienė, E. Changes in Caries Prevalence and Oral Hygiene Skills Among Preschool-Aged Children in Lithuania Between 2000 and 2010. Medicina 2012, 48, 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina48070054

AMA Style

Razmienė J, Vanagas G, Bendoraitienė EA, Andriuškevičienė V, Slabšinskienė E. Changes in Caries Prevalence and Oral Hygiene Skills Among Preschool-Aged Children in Lithuania Between 2000 and 2010. Medicina. 2012; 48(7):54. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina48070054

Chicago/Turabian Style

Razmienė, Jaunė, Giedrius Vanagas, Eglė Aida Bendoraitienė, Vilija Andriuškevičienė, and Eglė Slabšinskienė. 2012. "Changes in Caries Prevalence and Oral Hygiene Skills Among Preschool-Aged Children in Lithuania Between 2000 and 2010" Medicina 48, no. 7: 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina48070054

APA Style

Razmienė, J., Vanagas, G., Bendoraitienė, E. A., Andriuškevičienė, V., & Slabšinskienė, E. (2012). Changes in Caries Prevalence and Oral Hygiene Skills Among Preschool-Aged Children in Lithuania Between 2000 and 2010. Medicina, 48(7), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina48070054

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