Prevalence of main dental diseases in children who live in conditions of biogeochemical fluorine and iodine deficiency

Abstract

Background: Dental status is one of the main indicators of overall health. We examined
it in children aged 6–15 years who live in conditions of biogeochemical fluorine and iodine
deficiency (Transcarpathian region, Ukraine), to improve the quality of dental care.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study To assess the state of teeth, we used
indicators recommended by the WHO Expert Committee. The prevalence and intensity of dental
caries, periodontal status, oral hygiene status and dentoalveolar anomalies were determined using
a questionnaire and descriptive analyses was done (P < 0.05).
Results: The total prevalence of caries in deciduous teeth in children was 57.86% ± 1.56%, with
intensity of 2.61 ± 0.6. The total prevalence of caries in permanent teeth was 71.45% ± 1.31%, with
intensity of 2.36 ± 0.52. Analysis of the results showed a high prevalence of periodontal disease,
which increases with age. The level of oral hygiene was evaluated as unsatisfactory. Studying the
prevalence of dentoalveolar anomalies showed the lowest prevalence (40.05% ± 2.56%) at the
age of 6 years and the maximum value at 12 years (77.20% ± 2.75%). In addition, we found poor
hygienic knowledge of the parents, lack of medical activity of parents to preserve dental health of
the child, lack of dentists’ work on hygiene education, and public health education for prevention
of dental diseases. On the other hand, a high level of confidence was revealed in the information
received from dentists.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of leading dental diseases requires modernization of the existing
prevention programs for children.
Key Words: Anomalies, caries, hygiene, prevalence