The Pediatrician in Community Dental Health

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Gary S. Leske ◽  
M. Cristina Vera Leske

Dental disease in children is one of the most common health problems encountered.1-3 Fifty percent of children have one or more carious teeth by the age of 2 years. Gingivitis occurs in a major portion of the child population and may lead to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Cleft palate, with or without cleft lip, occurs once in every 700 births. Half of the school-age population has some form of malocclusion. So prevalent are these problems and so great is the backlog of dental neglect, that treatment of these defects is beyond the capabilities of the limited dental manpower we have in this country. In addition, treatment is time-consuming and expensive and the costs of dental services are constantly rising. It is obvious from these facts that dental disease cannot be controlled by treatment alone. It is only by preventing the occurrence of new disease, beginning with the child, that the problem of dental disease can be brought into a manageable form. Pediatricians are in a unique position to have a significant impact on the dental health of their patients and communities. Since the pediatrician gives care to the child from birth, he can detect any existing abnormality early in life and promptly refer or treat the problem. Control of dental disease can best be accomplished if preventive measures are started shortly after birth. It is interesting to note that few children are seen by the dentist at the recommended age of 2½ to 3 years.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Dekel ◽  
S P Zusman ◽  
V Pikovsky ◽  
L Natapov

Abstract Background Dental care for children was included into National Health Insurance Law in 2010 and eligibility age went up gradually to 18 in 2019, providing universal dental care. As a part of dental care reform, community based preventive School Dental Services were extended to preschool children. School dental service (SDS), funded entirely by the State, was extended to younger ages providing supervised tooth brushing module. The national supervised teeth brushing program (STBP) was first implemented in 2015-2016 amongst 3-4 year old children attending 600 nurseries in Israel. Due to the program’s success, it was gradually extended to more nurseries in low socio economic regions across the country, reaching 2200 settings in 2019. The objective of this study was to assess dental health among preschool children participating in the program during the last two years, comparing to those who did not. Methods Participant and non-participant kindergartens were randomly selected in Jewish and Bedouin Arab towns in the Southern district matched according to SES level. DMFT index measuring mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth was recorded among preschool 5 years-old children. Results 283 children were examined, 157of them Jewish (86 participants in STBP, 71 non-participants) and 126 Bedouins (59 vs 67 respectively). Mean untreated carious teeth (d) was 1.15 vs 1.8 for Jews and 3.22 vs 3.9 for Bedouins. Percent of treated teeth within total caries experience index (f/dmf) was higher in tooth brushing group: 37% vs. 29% for Jews and 23% vs. 8% for Bedouins. Key messages Supervised tooth brushing shows favorable effect. Less carious teeth and more treated caries were recorded in STBP group.


2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Bojana Davidovic ◽  
Mirjana Ivanovic ◽  
Svjetlana Jankovic

Introduction. The problem of chronic diseases such as caries is very complex because it appears very early in life, often during childhood. The number of involved people is growing as well as the number of affected teeth and surfaces that eventually lead to teeth loss. The aim of this study was to determine the dental status of adolescents age 12 and 15 in three municipalities in Bosnia, Foca, Cajnice and Kalinovik. Material and methods. The study included 506 school children both genders of six schools in three municipalities (Foca, Cajnice and Kalinovik). Teeth examination and criteria for diagnosis and coding were estimated based of criteria of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD). To estimate dental health DMFT index [number of carious teeth (D), missing (M) and filled teeth (F)] and related indices (Person Caries Index, Teeth Caries Index, Average Caries Index and DMFT structure) were used. Results. Dental health status and caries prevalence were presented through the values of the Average Caries Index. The value of Average Caries Index for examined children was 6.17. Of all examined children 96.05% of them had at least one carious tooth. The average value of Teeth Caries Index was 23.04%. Conclusion. Dental health of the children in the examined region was characterized by high values of untreated carious teeth as well as the other components of DMFT index. Therefore, preventive measures and primary dental care must be implemented better among school children.


2015 ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
Van Minh Nguyen ◽  
Hong Loi Nguyen

Objective: to assess the dental health and oral hygiene status of subjects with cleft lip and/or palate. Methods: dental and gingival examinations were carried out in 105 children with cleft, using standard dental indices dmft and DMFT. Plaque and gingival indices were scored using the indices of Loe and Silness. Results: the prevalence of dental caries was significantly higher in children with cleft (71.34%) than children without cleft in both deciduous and permanent teeth. The dmft and DMFT indices ware highest in children with CLP (4.21±3.68; 3.55±3.24). Similary, plaque accumulation and gingivitis were significant higher in CL, CLP patients (3.29±1.28; 3.23±1.54) compared with CP patients (2.38±1.74). Conclusion: Cleft patients had higher prevalence of caries and poorer oral hygiene than patients without cleft. The severity of cleft affected on the oral health status. These findings not only provide a baseline for oral health status but also emphasize the need for preventive measures. Key words: cleft lip, cleft palate, cleft lip and palate, dmft, DMFT, plaque and gingival index


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Аьбина Гарифуллина ◽  
A'bina Garifullina ◽  
Галина Скрипкина ◽  
Galina Skripkina ◽  
Таисия Бурнашова ◽  
...  

Background. Analysis of publications on the descriptive epidemiology of dental caries of children in the city of Omsk and the region shows that preventive measures that were implemented by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry in the 1990s contributed to a significant decrease in the intensity of caries of permanent teeth of a key age group of children 12 years old. However, the achieved level is still 2-3 times higher than the best world achievements and is quite far from the WHO recommendations by 2020 (the CPU of the teeth of 12-year-old children should not be more than 1.5). Objectives ― to evaluate and compare the most significant indicators of dental health in children of school age with the help of European indicators. The dental status of 12-year-olds in Omsk in 2015 and 2018 was investigated using the EGOHID-2005 system. Methods. A dental examination of 200 schoolchildren aged 12 years old was conducted in several schools in Omsk using the EGOHID-2005 system. Results. A comparative description of the dental health of children with the help of European indicators is given. It allowed to establish that, against the background of the implementation of the Program for the Prevention of Major Dental Diseases among the children's population of the region, a decrease in the incidence of dental incidence in key age groups of 12-year-old children has been observed Omsk. Conclusions. The study proves once again that it is possible to solve the problem of high incidence of dental caries in children only with the priority development of the preventive focus of modern dental services in the regions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
S.O. Turchenenko ◽  
S.P. Yarova ◽  
O.P. Reva ◽  
Yu. Yu. Yarov ◽  
A. A. Komlev

The need to improve the dental health of the population does not lose its relevance and remains an unresolved medical, economic and social problem, with the need to find new approaches to the provision of dental care.The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of preventive measures and public awareness of the course and consequences of dental pathology in order to improve dental health.To achieve this goal, the data of the annual reports of municipal dental services of Donetsk region were analyzed and a survey with additional functional (electromyography and digital analysis of occlusion) examination of the dental status of 200 people was conducted.Thus, in 2018, the number of primary visitors to therapeutic departments within the region included 718097 people. Patients who underwent primary preventive measures included: hygienic training and education, individual choice of prevention only 21.09% of the total number of people.Within the survey, 82.5 % did not understand the dependence of hygiene and carious processes, 75.5% had no information about the need for quality restoration of the anatomy of the dentition, and 21.5 % did not understand the need to replace the final defects of the dentition. It has been found some reflection of these facts in the analysis of annual reports. Thus, the percentage of filled teeth due to caries or its complications to removed teeth, for the same reasons, was 46.46 %. A similar result in 46.58 % was the number of patients who applied after the removal of teeth to the orthopedic department in order to restore the integrity of the dentition (removable, conditionally removable, non-removable structures). But in addition to the lack of full restoration of the dentition, it was found that the ratio of total filled teeth to cement fillings was 44.5 percent of all filled teeth due to both caries and its complications. 44.5 % was the restoration of lost tooth tissues using cements (zinc phosphate and SIC). Due to the impossibility of restoring quality anatomy, and as a result of the function of the tooth, such a percentage does not meet the needs of today in understanding quality dental services.Based on the results of the analysis of the study data, we concluded that patients are poorly informed about their condition, variations in their treatment and the consequences of lack of comprehensive treatment, the causes and consequences of certain dental conditions and prevention. The results of our surveys and diagnostic tests revealed the need for modern and objectively motivated approach to diagnosis and informing patients about their condition, which leads to a better understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships and the desire for full rehabilitation.In turn, this not only improves dental health at the end of treatment, but also helps to maintain it for a long time, which in turn improves the social and economic life of the patient.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. V. Kudryavtseva ◽  
V. V. Tachalov ◽  
E. S. Loboda ◽  
L. Yu. Orekhova ◽  
E. Yu. Nechai ◽  
...  

Relevance. Periodontal diseases are a medical and social problem due to the wide spread among the population of developed countries and the impact on the quality of life. Among the many factors that are important in the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases, an important role is played by adherence to the recommendations of the dentist in respecting oral hygiene. Aim of the work was to study the adherence of patients of the dental clinic to compliance with preventive measures in the oral cavity.Materials and methods. A total of 98 patients of dental clinic, 62 female (medial age 38,6 ± 14,0 years) and 36 male (medial age 37,2±13,1 years) participated in survey. The study participants flled in the profle and answered questions about age, gender, harmful working conditions and bad habits, frequency of visits to the dental clinic, attitudes to the prevention of dental diseases, knowledge about the means and methods of oral hygiene.Results. As a result of the study, it was found that in the vast majority of cases, respondents are employed in production that does not adversely affect their health (91%), only 8% of patients indicated harmful working conditions.Conclusions. The study revealed that, despite the recommendations of the dentist, patients are not always committed to the implementation of preventive measures in the oral cavity. Dentists need to motivate patients to use not only the usual methods and means of hygiene, but also additional ones necessary for maintaining dental health.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 416
Author(s):  
George Kitsaras ◽  
Michaela Goodwin ◽  
Michael P. Kelly ◽  
Iain A. Pretty

Background: Oral hygiene behaviours as well as dietary habits before bed can affect children’s dental health resulting in higher prevalence of dental disease. Dental disease can affect children’s health, development and even school performance. If left untreated, dental disease can progress and it can lead to extractions under general anaesthetic causing further distress for children and families. Consistent and appropriate oral hygiene behaviours and dietary habits can prevent dental diseases from occurring in the first place. Objective: This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between oral hygiene behaviours, dietary habits around bedtime and children’s dental health. Methods: A total of 185 parents with children between the ages of 3 and 7 years from deprived areas participated in the study. Data on bedtime routine activities were collected using an automated text-survey system. Children’s dental health status was established through examination of dental charts and dmft (decayed, missed, filled teeth) scores. Results: In total, 52.4% of parents reported that their children’s teeth were brushed every night. The majority of children (58.9%) had dmft scores over zero. In total, 51 (46.7% of children with dmft score over 0 and 27.5% of all children) children had active decay. The mean dmft score for those experiencing decay was 2.96 (SD = 2.22) with an overall mean dmft score of 1.75 (SD = 2.24). There were significant correlations between frequency of tooth brushing, frequency of snacks/drinks before bed and dmft scores (r = −0.584, p < 0.001 and r = 0.547, p = 0.001 respectively). Finally, higher brushing frequency was associated with a lower likelihood of a dmft score greater than 0 (Exp(B) = 0.9). Conclusions: Despite families implementing oral hygiene behaviours as part of their bedtime routines those behaviours varied in their consistency. Results of this study highlight the need for additional studies that consider bedtime routine-related activities and especially the combined effects of oral hygiene practices and dietary habits due to their potentially important relationship with children’s dental health.


Author(s):  
Hosung Shin ◽  
Han-A Cho ◽  
Bo-Ra Kim

Since 2009, the National Health Insurance in Korea (NHI) has been implementing a series of policies to expand the scope of dental benefits. This study reviewed the changes in co-payments and dental use patterns before (2008 to 2012) and after (2013 to 2017) the NHI’s dental health insurance reform. The study used Korea Health Panel data of 7681 households (16,493 household members) from a 10-year period (2008–2017). Dental expenditures and equivalent income using square root of household size were analyzed. Dental services were categorized into 13 types and a concentration index and 95% confidence interval using the delta method was calculated to identify income-related inequalities by a dental service. Dental expenditures and the number of dental services used increased significantly, while the proportion of out-of-pocket spending by the elderly decreased. The expenditure ratio for implant services to total dental expenditures increased substantially in all age groups, but the ratio of expenditures for dentures and fixed bridges decreased relatively. The concentration index of implant services was basically in favor of the rich, but there was no longer a significant bias favoring the better-off after the reforms. The dental health insurance reform in Korea appears to contribute not only to lowering the ratio of out-of-pocket to total dental expenses per episode in the elderly but also to improving the inequality of dental expenses.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Vaughan ◽  
Troy McGowan ◽  
Greg Mahoney

ABSTRACT Introduction The occurrence of dental emergencies, now termed as dental disease nonbattle injuries (D-DNBIs), has long been an impacting factor on militaries’ operational effectiveness. Owing to D-DNBIs contributing to low morale, the removal of personnel from duty, causing logistical hardships, and requiring deployable dental teams to operate in theater, there remains a significant benefit in the reduction in the occurrence of D-DNBIs. No study to date has reviewed D-DNBI rates specific to a modern military, and insight into whether militaries are seeing improvements in their dental preparedness remains to be gained. Materials and Methods A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out by Joanna Briggs Institute. Databases searched included SCOPUS, PubMed, OVID, and DOSS. Six hundred and one articles were initially screened, and six articles were included in the final review. Results A D-DNBI rate of 172 per 1,000 members per year was reported across the coalition, with the U.S., UK, and French militaries reporting on their dental experience. Both the French data and one UK study reported significantly higher D-DNBIs than their U.S. counterparts, who described 124 D-DNBIs per 1,000 members per year. A significant proportion of these D-DNBIs were reported to be “preventable,” which raises questions on the efficacy of garrison healthcare services. Dental disease nonbattle injury rates appear to be largely consistent with what was first reported decades ago, and there remains ongoing and significant value in expeditionary dental services providing supportive healthcare for any deployed military personnel. Conclusion Rates of D-DNBIs appear to be stable with what was historically reported when an international coalition is considered, with national variation. There remains a significant number of D- DNBIs which require dental treatment within the operational theater, and further efficiencies can be gained from predeployment treatment of “preventable” D-DNBIs.


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