Two-year supervised tooth brushing program evaluation in preschools in Southern Israel

Abstract

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.