Prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren from North-Eastern Italian population.

BACKGROUND

The longitudinal aspect of dental caries has not been previously reported for the Italian population. The primary object of the present study is to collect information of the prevalence of dental decay among the schoolchildren of primary school of Gradisca d'Isonzo (GO) and to analyze the tendency of caries among the students followed since the first year of school.

METHODS

Subsequent examinations hold from 2011 to 2015 has been conducted by two calibrated examiners. Oral hygiene instruction and motivation followed the visits. According to WHO principals DMFT and dmft were recorded. The children in the survey were divided into 5 groups according to their ages (6, 7, 8 and 9 years), and these groups were considered separately. Descriptive and statistical analysis of the data was conducted.

RESULTS

More than 400 pupils were recruited, resulting in almost 900 examinations during 5 years. Overall, the %dft ≥1 children range from 18.9% (10 years, 2013) to 53.5% (8 years, 2011) across the different age groups. Overall, the %DFT≥1 children range from 8.3% (6 years, 2011) to 44.1% (10 years, 2012) across the different age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limits of the present study, the WHO goals are still not met, among the population in exam. Our results show a trend of decay diminution that enhances in the cohort of 10-aged children suggesting the importance of dental education. Furthermore, the lack of pediatric initiatives of oral hygiene may be overcome by a national intensive educational program, supported by further scientific evidence.