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Purpose: To study the caries status of 5, 12 and 15-year-old Greek children, assess how disease parameters are related to socio-demographic indicators and identify relevant trends at the national level. Methods: A stratified cluster sample of 3702 children in total was randomly selected and examined clinically for caries (ICDAS II criteria). Caries experience was outlined by adapting ICDAS0–6 criteria to the d/D component of the WHO dmf/DMF index configuration. Percentages (%) of caries experience-free children, of children with initial caries (ICDAS1–2), and the mean d1–2t/D1–2T, d3–6mft/D3–6MFT and d3–6mfs/D3–6MFS indices were calculated. The probability of presenting with d1–2t/D1–2T ≥ 1 was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis, whereas negative binomial regression models examined the effect of socio-demographic parameters on d3–6mfs/D3–6MFS indices (level of significance: p ≤ 0.05). Results: 60.1%, 48.1%, and 34.7% of the 5, 12, and 15-year-old children, respectively, had no caries experience at the defect level (d3–6mft/D3–6MFT = 0). Initial lesions (ICDAS1–2) were detected in 17.7%, 19.3% and 17.4% of the 5, 12 and 15-year-olds, accordingly. Mean d1–2t/D1–2T was 0.93, 1.70, and 2.51, whereas mean d3–6mft/D3–6MFT was 1.48, 1.61, and 2.46 for the 5, 12, and 15-year-olds, respectively. Children with higher educated parents and 15-year-old urban residents exhibited significantly less caries experience at the defect level. Initial caries lesions presented a significantly higher probability of being detected in urban-residing 5- and 15-year-olds, while no consistent trend could be identified for parental education level. Caries prevalence and experience levels declined for all age groups in ten years. Conclusion: Although the dental health of Greek children has improved disparities remain, calling for organised primary and secondary preventive interventions. © 2021, European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. |
