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Aim: The aim of this study was to obtain information on increase of: number of caries lesions and treatment needs of children with primary dentition due to lack of preventive program for pre-school children. This results will be used as start point for planing future preventive measures in Primorsko - Goranska County, Croatia. Methods: Total of 2934 preschool children (1502 boys and 1432 girls) aged 3–7 years were surveyed. Each child was clinically examined by calibrated examiners. Dental caries was assessed using diagnostic criteria recommended by WHO. Inclusion criteria was presence of completed primary dentition. Treatment need was assessed using RI index (d/dft ratio) that shows how many of all teeth that require treatment were treated. Results: The dft scores (mean) were 0.84 (2.18) ; 2.42 (3.59) ; 3.01 (3.67) ; 3.34 (3.93) and 4.37 (4.13) ; for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 years old respectively. RI index scores were: 0.04 ; 0.17 ; 0.19 and 0.23 ; 0.25 for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 years old respectively. Conclusions: The mean dft value and the treatment needs increase with age. The conclusion that the dental care for primary teeth is neglected it can be drawn from this results. It also can be con- cluded that in our region, which is currently without adequate prevention program for preschool children, exist conditions in which child has a good chance to develop more and more carious lesions over the years. Thus, implementation of quality prevention program and motiva- tion for dental care through it is a high priority. |
