[An epidemiological study on dental caries of children in the town of Fuji].

An epidemiological investigation of dental caries was undertaken during the period of 1987-1989 with all children of nursery school, kindergarten, elementary and junior high school age in the town of Fuji, Saga prefecture which is a mountain villate, experiencing little movement of the population. From this investigation the following results were obtained. 1. Although the number of the children in each age group who had dental caries in deciduous and permanent teeth appeared to have decreased compared with 1987 and 1989, the dental caries prevalence in the children still remained high. 2. It appeared that it was important to give dental health education during the stage of immature young permanent teeth since there was prior to evidence of high dental caries in this stage. 3. The following was suggested for the improvement of caries experienced in immature young permanent teeth in the school in Fuji: (1) no stock of soft drinks in the refrigerator, (2) guardian's strict supervision of their children concerning snacks and, (3) acquiring of the habit of brushing during infancy and preschool years with parental assistance.