Prevalence Of Caries In Children Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among Bhutanese oral health professionals.

Dental caries remains prevalent among children in Bhutan, despite an increasing number of oral health professionals (OHPs). Insights into caries preventive practices among OHPs can identify areas for capacity building. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among OHPs in Bhutan. A self-administered online questionnaire was sent to all active registered OHPs. The respondents included 73 dentists and 61 dental hygienists (88% response rate) with a mean experience of 8.4 ± 7.1 years. Many practitioners rarely saw children; most of them, however, exhibited a positive attitude towards caries prevention in children, yet lacked knowledge and practice, especially in younger children. Caries risk factors were not all recognized, and assessment was not practised. Many forms of fluoride were available, but their efficacy was underestimated. Fluoridated toothpaste was underutilized in younger children. Preventive practice relied mainly on giving advice. The most common limitations on preventive practice were the unavailability of materials and treatment prioritized over prevention. Caries prevention in Bhutanese children requires a systematic approach in the oral healthcare system and further education of OHPs. Proactive strategies, time management and efficient distribution of preventive materials could promote better practice.

Effective prevention of secondary caries in children’s permanent teeth using oral hygiene products

Relevance. In Russia, caries prevalence rate in permanent teeth of 12- year-olds is 75, 6%, and in 15-year-olds, it is 87, 5%. Alongside with high prevalence of caries in permanent children’s teeth, the problem of secondary caries is very significant as well. Toothpastes containing fluoride use for caries prevention. Now, there are known toothpastes containing hydroxyapatite enriched with complex (PGC) with amino acid threonine. It is advisable to study this paste effect on secondary caries occurrence.Materials and methods. Clinical and laboratory examinations and treatment of 92 children, aged 7 to 15, aged (97 teeth) were carried out during one year. They were given dental treatment, including that of dentine caries, in permanent teeth (K02.1). Fillings marginal integrity was assessed using G. Ryge (1998) criterion and electrometry method. Carious process intensity in study groups was determined using indices DMFS and ICDAS-II (code I, code II).Results. In group using toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite enriched with complex (PGC) with amino acid threonine, frequency of unsatisfactory restorations was detected only in 6% of cases; in group using fluoride containing pastes – 12%. Electrical conductivity of hard tissues in these groups increased only by 9,6 % and 36% respectively. Frequency of restorations with secondary caries signs at the end of the study was 27% in group with no preventive measures, and according to electrometric method, electrical conductivity at the border of fillings with hard dental tissues increased by 130%. Reduction of caries growth in group using toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite was 78,6%, in group with fluoride containing toothpaste – 64,3%.Conclusion. Application of a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite enriched with Polyol Germanium Complex with amino acid threonine increases efficiency of secondary caries prevention in children's permanent teeth.

Impact of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on the Oral Health of Children –A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM), is a metabolic disorder occurring when there is decreased production of insulin hormone or if there is poor body response to it. Type 1 DM is most common in children and adolescents and has a strong impact on their lifestyle. Conflicting evidence is available in the scientific literature on caries prevalence in children with diabetes and healthy children. Many studies have also reported higher plaque accumulation with greater gingival index scores in children with diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus plays a very noteworthy role in oral complications and therefore it becomes important for health practitioners to take good care of these children’s general and oral hygiene.

Association between prenatal vitamin D deficiency with dental caries in infants and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prenatal vitamin D (PVD) is a vital micronutrient for dental caries (DCs). The association between prenatal vitamin D deficiencies (PVDD) and DCs in children has been conflicting in different reports. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between PVDD and DCs in children for the first time. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Embase, and Scholar databases to find relevant studies based on mesh terms from 2000 to October 2023. This study was conducted based on the 2020 version of the PRISMA checklist. Cochran’s Q and I2 tests were used to evaluate heterogeneity between studies. Egger’s test was used to evaluate publication bias. The effect size of the association between PVDD and DCs was reported by the odds ratio (OR) at the 95% confidence interval (95% CI).Twelve studies, including 11,021 participants, were reviewed. The pooled prevalence of PVDD was estimated at 4353 (32%). The prevalence of DCs in children of mothers with and without PVDD was 44% and 25%, respectively. PVDD was significantly associated with an increased risk of DCs in children (OR: 1.35, 95% CI (1.22, 1.47), I2 = 86.6%). The association of DCs with PVDD was different based on gestational age groups, children’s age groups, and vitamin D levels. This meta-analysis showed PVDD can be associated with an increased risk of DCs in children, especially in mothers with prenatal vitamin D levels ≤ 35 nmol/L. Adequate vitamin D levels throughout pregnancy can help prevent DCs in children.

Improvements in appropriate placement of dental sealants after implementation of a clinical decision support system

BackgroundDental sealants are effective for the prevention of caries in children at elevated risk levels, and increasing the proportion of children and adolescents who have dental sealants on 1 or more molars is a Healthy People 2030 objective. Electronic health record (EHR)-based clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) have the ability to improve patient care. A dental quality measure related to dental sealant placement for children at elevated risk of caries was targeted for improvement using a CDSS. MethodsA validated dental quality measure was adapted to assess a patient’s need for dental sealant placement. A CDSS was implemented to advise care team members whether a child was at elevated risk of developing caries and had sealant-eligible first or second molars. Data on dental sealant placement at examination visits during a 5-year period were analyzed, including 32 months before CDSS implementation and 28 months after CDSS implementation. ResultsFrom January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2022, the authors assessed 59,047 examination visits for children at elevated risk of developing caries and with sealant-eligible teeth. With the implementation of a CDSS and training to support the clinical care team members in September 2020, the appropriate placement of dental sealants at examination visits increased from 27% through 60% (P < .00001). ConclusionsIntegration of a CDSS into the EHR as part of a quality improvement program was effective in increasing the delivery of sealants in eligible first and second molars of children aged 5 through 15 years and considered at high risk of developing caries. Practical ImplicationsAn EHR–based CDSS can be implemented to improve standardization and provide timely and appropriate patient care in dental practices.

Prevalence and intensity of dental caries in children of different age groups living in the Solntsevo district, Moscow

The relevance of the study of the prevalence and intensity of caries in children of different age groups increases due to the fact that the tasks of modern pediatric dentistry include improving the level of care and prevention of caries and its complications.Aim. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and intensity of caries of temporary and permanent teeth in children and adolescents of different age groups (3–5 years, 6–8 years, 9–11 years and 12–16 years) living in the Solntsevo district of Moscow.Material and methods. The study included 1,725 children of four age groups who underwent a routine dental examination in dental departments of hospitals, preschool and school institutions of the Solntsevo district with registration of the presence of carious cavities, fillings and removed teeth.Results. The prevalence of caries in children of different age groups varies depending on the factors affecting the development of caries. The prevalence and intensity increase during the period of milk bite, then drop sharply by the beginning of the period of tooth change, then gradually increasing by the time the formation of a permanent bite is completed. Most of the children are not sanitized at the time of examination.Conclusion. Preventive measures in preschool and school institutions, the level and nature of dental care for children in the Solntsevo district of Moscow are insufficient, since the increase in caries in children of different age groups of the district exceeds acceptable indicators, as a result of which many of the examined have carious cavities.

Increasing Interest in Dental and Oral Health Through Pop Up Castle Media as an Effort to Prevent The Spread of Caries Among School Children

Early childhood is the most appropriate time to instill values to instill positive behavior in children. Prevention of caries in children needs to be instilled early on seeing the impact of caries which can interfere with chewing function which leads to a lack of nutritional intake received by children. Prevention of caries can be done by maintaining dental health, one of which is done by brushing teeth. By brushing your teeth, you can maintain the cleanliness and strength of your teeth, but the wrong way of brushing cannot maximize oral hygiene. Therefore, knowledge of how to brush teeth properly and correctly is needed, in order to improve the quality of oral hygiene to the maximum. Making innovative media is very useful for increasing knowledge and attracting school-age children to pay attention to oral health. The author makes media in the form of a popup castle as an effort to prevent rampant caries in school-age children so that this media can make it easier for school-age children to understand efforts to maintain oral health. Objective: To describe the increase in school-age children's interest in maintaining oral health and hygiene by using castle popup media. Methods: The method we use in this counseling is game-based learning. The game method that we use is also based on the media that we offer in the form of a pop-up castle where in this media there are several materials including foods that are good for dental health and how to brush teeth properly and correctly and the right time to brush teeth. The game that we apply aims to review the material that has been explained during counseling. Results: 1) There is an increase in the knowledge of fourth grade students of SD Islam Maryam about oral health. 2) There is an increase in the interest of school-age children in maintaining oral health and hygiene by using castle popup media. 3) There is an improvement in the oral health status and behavior (knowledge, attitudes and actions) of elementary school students so that it can support general health. 4) This counseling activity is effective because it uses castle pop up media with a predetermined design and dental phantom so that the message conveyed can be understood by the target. 5) The final report and article will be included as a scientific publication in an accredited journal after the service. 6) The weakness of this activity is that it does not use other conventional counseling as a comparison.

Comparing Fluoride Varnish, Fissure Sealant and Ozone for Children Caries Prevention

Background: Caries is the most prevalent oral health disease in children globally. Well-known method such as fluoride varnish and fissure sealant has been used to prevent caries overtime. Ozone therapy considered as a new innovation in caries prevention for children which has not been studied much for its effectiveness compared to the other popular method. Objective: This review aimed to compare caries preventive methods with fluoride varnish (FV), fissure sealant (FS) and ozone (O) for children and decide which method is the most effective. Literature Study: PubMed, SpringerLink, EBSCOhost and Science direct were searched from December 2021 to January 2022. The criteria included all randomized controlled trials and clinical trials comparing the caries preventive effect between FV, FS and O on children’s permanent teeth. Discussion: A total of 12 articles were included. Regarding dentin caries prevention, 2 studies found resin FS in favour of no FS and 2 studies found FV in favor of controls. 1 study agreed glass ionomer FS and no FS comparable. 3 studies agreed FV and FS were comparable. 1 study agreed resin FS and glass ionomer FS comparable. 1 study also found FV, FS and O comparable. Regarding dentin remineralization, 2 studies found O were comparable with FS dan calcium hydroxide base. These methods are safe for children. Conclusion: Fluoride varnish, fissure sealant and ozone are effective in preventing children’s caries with their own benefits and drawbacks. None of the methods is superior over another as there were a variety of the data reported.

The influence of type 1 diabetes on the hard dental tissues and the development of caries (literature review)

An electronic search for articles was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library databases from January 2001 to August 2023 using keywords mentioned in the terms of diabetes impact on dental ca­ries, enamel, dentin, salivary glands, oral microbiome. A search ­using the keywords “dental caries” and “type 1 diabetes” was done in articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of English- and Ukrainian-language literary sources. The search for articles was focused on clear descriptions of the possible mechanisms of diabetes effect on the hard dental tissues. The analysis included articles with the results of clinical and experimental studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews written in English and Ukrainian according to the selected keywords; articles that explain the impact of diabetes on the hard dental tissues; articles that provide strong evidence of oral disease associated with type 1 diabetes. The article presents the results of the literary review of sources — clinical and experimental studies, meta-analyses and systematic analyzes regarding the impact of type 1 diabetes on the state of the hard dental tissues. The literature presents conflicting data on the prevalence of caries in children with type 1 diabetes compared to healthy children. Most research show that the level of metabolic control of diabetes and the age of children are associated with a high risk of developing caries. Data are presented on the potential risk of diabetes impact on the state of the hard dental tissues and possible mechanisms of developing caries. The authors consider disease-modifying risk factors such as impaired salivation, buffering capacity of saliva, changes in the oral microbiome, which lead to structural and biomechanical changes in the hard dental tissues. Modifiable risk factors such as eating habits, educational measures that directly affect the characteristics of individual hygiene, as well as regular professional control of the oral health, led to a decrease in the prevalence and severity of caries in children with type 1 diabetes. The conducted analysis indicates the need for further research to assess the health status of the oral cavity in children with type 1 diabetes.

Secular trends of dental caries and association with nutritional status: a retrospective analysis of 16,199 Chinese students from three successive national surveys from 2010 to 2019.

The prevalence of dental caries (DC) among students in developing countries has increased at an alarming rate, and nutritional status has been shown to be associated with DC in children and adolescents with inconsistent conclusions. We aimed to understand the trends of DC prevalence in students aged 7, 9, 12, and 14 years and to explore the relationship between DC prevalence and nutritional status. We recruited 16,199 students aged 7, 9, 12, and 14 years in China by multi-stage, stratified, random sampling methods from 2010 to 2019. Permanent caries were measured using the Decay, Loss, and Filling (DMF) index and prevalence rate. Deciduous caries were measured using the decay, loss, and filling (dmf) index and prevalence rate. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin levels. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between nutritional status and the DC prevalence in children and adolescents, incorporating information concerning family-related factors. The results indicated that DC prevalence increased from 39.75% in 2010 to 53.21% in 2019 in Henan province, with deciduous teeth and permanent teeth being 45.96 and 27.18%, respectively, in 2019. The total caries rate decreased with age (p < 0.05), and the caries rate of girls was higher than that of boys in 2019 (55.75% vs. 50.67%) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of dental caries among primary and secondary school students in areas with medium economic aggregate was the highest, followed by cities with the best economic development level, and cities with low economic levels have a lower prevalence of dental caries. The dental caries prevalence was negatively correlated with body mass index. In the fully adjusted model, underweight children had a higher caries prevalence (OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.86-1.41). Children with anemia had a higher prevalence of dental caries (OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 0.98-1.42). The DC prevalence of students in Henan Province was high, with a tendency to increase. Females, young individuals, and those with a higher economic level showed a positive correlation with the prevalence of caries. In the process of economic development, particular attention should be paid to early childhood caries prevention. Nutritional status should be taken seriously among children and adolescents, and the oral health system should be improved to keep pace with economic development.

The stomatological care of schoolchildren in the Soviet Russia in 1920s: Succession of ideas

The article considers historical interaction between the Soviet Russia and the Weimar Republic related to prevention of caries in children in 1920s and the role of P. G. Dauge in it. The methodology of German Professor A. Kantorovich with minor alterations was adopted to be applied in organization of dental care of schoolchildren in the RSFSR. In the Soviet Russia, the practical implementation of planned oral cavity sanation in children started on a national scale only in second half of the 1920s. It was caused by skeptical attitude of dentists to methodology of "planned sanation" in conditions of the Soviet Russia.

Trends of Dental Caries Prevalence in Children Under 14-Year-Old Using a Health Insurance Database

The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in the prevalence of dental caries and demand for dental caries treatment among children under 14 years old using Health Insurance Review and Assessment data. The analysis was conducted using treatment records from a random sample of approximately 1 million pediatric patients from a population that included all children and adolescents for each year from 2011 to 2020. In this study, the number of children diagnosed with K02 dental caries and the number of children receiving dental caries treatment across all ages have increased. However, the number of children aged 10 to 14 who received pulp treatment or extraction has decreased. In the National Survey of Children’s Oral Health, the decay-missing-filled teeth index for 5- and 12-year-olds has stagnated or increased slightly, but the percentage of the population with active dental caries has decreased. Accessibility and local environments for dental caries treatment have generally improved compared to the past, but preventive dental care has stagnated over the past decade. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health programs implemented in Korea to promote and prevent dental caries among children.

Relationship Between Mother And Child Behavior In Maintaining Dental Health With The Incidence Of Caries (Study Of Preschool Children At Al-Masyithoh Pati Muslimat Kindergarten)

Background: Dental caries is still a priority issue in children’s health. The high prevalence of caries in children is partly due to the lack of maternal behavior in maintaining oral health, as well as a child’s diet. This study aims to analyze the relationship between mother and child behavior in maintaining dental health with the incidence of caries in children. Methods: This type of research is analytically observational with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 73 children aged 3-5 years and the respondents were the mothers of the sample. Sampling used a proportioned stratified random sampling technique. Collecting data using observation sheets and questionnaires. Univariate and bivariate data analysis (Rank Spearman). Results: The results showed that 75.3% of mothers had good knowledge, 100% of mothers had a supportive attitude, 68.5% of mothers had good actions, 93.2% of children had cariogenic food consumption habits, and 58.9% of children had caries in the very high category. There is no relationship between maternal knowledge (p-value 0.942 &gt; 0.05) and maternal attitude with caries incidence (p-value 0.816 &gt; 0.05), there is a relationship between maternal actions (p-value 0.000 &lt;0.05) and children’s habits of consuming cariogenic foods with caries incidence (p-value 0.004 &lt;0.05). Conclusion: Maternal knowledge and attitude in maintaining dental health have no relationship with the incidence of caries in children, while maternal actions and children’s habits of consuming cariogenic food are related to the incidence of caries in children.

The impact of bias of underlying literature in guidelines on its recommendations: assessment of the German fluoride guideline

PurposeThe significance of the underlying literature in clinical guidelines can be weakened by the risk of bias, which could negatively affect the recommendations. Especially in controversial matters, such as fluoride use for caries prevention in children, biased results may be not reliable and lead to incorrect conclusions. This study was performed to detect bias in underlying literature of the German guideline for caries prevention using fluoride in children, where no consensus was reached between paediatricians and paediatric dentists.MethodsThree tools used for risk of bias assessments of different study designs were RoB 2 for RCTs, ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies, and ROBIS for systematic reviews. For each study cited in the guideline two independent risk of bias assessments were performed. Disagreements were resolved by consensus.ResultsOut of 58 papers, 48.3% (n = 28) showed high risk of bias, with the majority in sections regarding fluoride tablets, fluoridated toothpaste, and paediatricians’ recommendations. 9 out of 20 recommendations and statements were based on studies with high risk of bias, all of which were in these three controversial sections. 13 out of 29 RCTs showed high risk of bias (44.8%), as all 13 non-randomized trials did, while only 2 of 16 (12.5%) systematic reviews had high risk of bias.ConclusionConsidering risk of bias of cited studies in clinical guidelines may result in substantial changes in its recommendations and aid in reaching consensus. Efforts should be made to assess risk of bias of underlying literature in future clinical guidelines.

Barriers and enablers for oral health promotion programs amongst primary healthcare stakeholders in Qatar – a qualitative investigation

BackgroundOral health of preschool children remains a concern globally. Primary healthcare providers are in a vital position to support preventive oral care programmes. This study explored current practices, perception and barriers of primary health care professionals towards oral health promotion program of children in Qatar.MethodsThe qualitative research used focus group discussions and interviewed a total of 108 participants that were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Four major themes emerged and were analysed to explore contextual patterns within the data.ResultsParticipants acknowledged the high prevalence of caries in children and identified the causes in the local context which included parental practices, poor dietary habits, impact of culture lack of oral health knowledge, limitations in the healthcare system, and negative role of the media. However, complex barriers were exposed, including lack of time and ownership, system coordination between organizations, and lack of policy.ConclusionHealth professionals and bureaucrats involved in decision-making held a positive attitude towards oral health prevention programs and were enthusiastic to initiate and support these programs.

Remineralizing gel with calcium lactate for the prevention of caries in children

The article presents the results of a single-center open clinical trial of the use of the remineralizing gel «PRESIDENT Minerals gel 0+». The effectiveness of the drug in children in the period of mixed dentition with a compensated form of caries was studied.Materials and methods. The study involved 19 children, mean age 8,3 years. The duration of the study is 1 month.Clinical indices and laboratory parameters were determined: DMF+df, OHI-S, PMA, the degree of enamel electrometry, calcium, glucose, total protein and antioxidant activity of saliva (AOA). Organoleptic properties were determined on a 5-point scale.Results. After one month of using the remineralizing gel, a decrease in the hygiene index by 23,27%, a decrease in the electrometric evaluation of enamel by 15,58% were revealed. In saliva, a decrease in the level of protein by 33,13% and an increase in the content of calcium by 53,33% were revealed. The organoleptic properties of the gel were evaluated on a five-point scale at 4,31±0,22 points.Conclusion. «PRESIDENT 0+ Minerals gel» with calcium lactate and hydroxyapatite has a remineralizing effect, good organoleptic properties and can be recommended for caries prevention in children.

Factors perceived by health professionals to be barriers or facilitators to caries prevention in children: a systematic review

BackgroundConsidered the most prevalent noncommunicable disease in childhood, dental caries is both an individual and a collective burden. While international guidelines highlight prevention as a major strategy for caries management in children, health professionals still struggle to implement prevention into their clinical practice. Further research is needed to understand the gap between the theoretical significance of dental prevention and its lack of implementation in the clinical setting. This systematic review aims to identify and classify factors perceived by health professionals to be barriers or facilitators to caries prevention in children.MethodA systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science and Cairn). Two researchers independently screened titles, abstracts and texts. To be selected, studies had to focus on barriers or facilitators to caries prevention in children and include health professionals as study participants. Qualitative and quantitative studies were selected. The factors influencing caries prevention in children were sorted into 3 main categories (clinician-related factors, patient-related factors, and organizational-related factors) and then classified according to the 14 domains of the theoretical domains framework (TDF).ResultsA total of 1771 references were found by combining manual and database searches. Among them, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which half were qualitative and half were quantitative studies. Dentists (n = 12), pediatricians (n = 11), nurses (n = 9), and physicians (n = 5) were the most frequently interviewed health professionals in our analysis. Barriers and facilitators to caries prevention in children were categorized into 12 TDF domains. The most frequently reported domains were Environmental Context and Resources, Knowledge and Professional Role and Identity.ConclusionThis systematic review found that a wide range of factors influence caries prevention in children. Our analysis showed that barriers to pediatric oral health promotion affect all stages of the health care system. By highlighting the incompatibility between the health care system’s organization and the implementation of caries prevention, this study aims to help researchers and policy-makers design new interventions to improve children’s access to caries prevention.Trial registrationPROSPERO CRD42022304545.

Community water fluoridation and the benefits for children

Dental caries prevalence in children is high and inequalities are significant, with a major burden for children, families and the health system. Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been shown to be effective and it may reduce inequalities. Despite concerns, there is no evidence that CWF has any major side effects. CWF can cause mild fluorosis of the teeth, but this can be associated with an improvement in quality of life. Economic evaluations of CWF have consistently shown that CWF is cost-saving. Despite the positive evidence, implementation is limited in the UK, and this appears to be due an inconducive political environment, although this is improving. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dental professionals should be aware of the benefits of CWF in order to be able to effectively advocate for its implementation.

Association between neighborhood disadvantage and children's oral health outcomes in urban families in the Chicago area.

The prevalence of childhood caries in urban Chicago, compared with national and state data, indicates that neighborhood context influences oral health. Our objective was to delineate the influence of a child's neighborhood on oral health outcomes that are predictive of caries (toothbrushing frequency and plaque levels). Our study population represents urban, Medicaid-enrolled families in the metropolitan Chicago area. Data were obtained from a cohort of participants (child-parent dyads) who participated in the Coordinated Oral Health Promotion (CO-OP) trial at 12 months of study participation (N = 362). Oral health outcomes included toothbrushing frequency and plaque levels. Participants' neighborhood resource levels were measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Linear and logistic regression models were used to measure the influence of ADI on plaque scores and toothbrushing frequency, respectively. Data from 362 child-parent dyads were analyzed. The mean child age was 33.6 months (SD 6.8). The majority of children were reported to brush at least twice daily (n = 228, 63%), but the mean plaque score was 1.9 (SD 0.7), classified as "poor." In covariate-adjusted analyses, ADI was not associated with brushing frequency (0.94, 95% CI 0.84-1.06). ADI was associated with plaque scores (0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.09, p value = 0.007). Findings support the hypothesis that neighborhood-level factors influence children's plaque levels. Because excessive plaque places a child at high risk for cavities, we recommend the inclusion of neighborhood context in interventions and policies to reduce children's oral health disparities. Existing programs and clinics that serve disadvantaged communities are well-positioned to support caregivers of young children in maintaining recommended oral health behaviors.

Air abrasion with additional water supply for sealing fissures of permanent teeth in children

Relevance. The prevalence of caries in permanent teeth of 6-year-old children in Russia reaches 13%. In view of tooth enamel mineralization completion within a few years after the eruption, the role of primary prevention is especially significant. Fissure sealing is one of the preventive measures. At the same time, the effectiveness of dental caries prevention in children within the first year after tooth eruption reaches sufficiently high rates.Material and methods. The study involved 58 children. The experimental group included 30 children (105 teeth) who had the fissures sealed by air abrasion with additional water supply using a "Rondoflex plus 360" handpiece ("KaVo", Germany). The control group included 28 children (89 teeth) who underwent standard non-invasive sealing. Sealing effectiveness was assessed in 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months using the E.M. Melnichenko formula modified by the authors. Statistical data were represented by percentage; the χ2 test identified inter-group differences.Results. The experimental group showed the best sealant retention (up to 76.19% after 24 months). In the control group, the percentage of retained sealant was 48.31% by the end of the follow-up period. After 1 and 2 years, the total sealant loss was 11.24% and 22.48%, respectively. This fact may be associated with the failure of the sealant adhesion to the tooth enamel under the influence of a constant chewing load.Conclusion. Analyzing two-year follow-up results, we found that caries developed in 3.81% of cases in the main group, and the control group revealed caries in 12.37%. Thus, the effectiveness of fissure sealing using air abrasion with additional water supply is 63.4% higher compared to the non-invasive technique (χ2 =16.638, p&lt;0.001).