Peric Tamara, Markovic Evgenija, Markovic Jovan, Petrovic Bojan, Kilibarda Biljana, Vukovic Ana, Markovic Dejan
Clinic of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Clinic of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Children (Basel). 2025 May 28;12(6):692. doi: 10.3390/children12060692.
This study aimed to assess dental caries status of 3- to 6-year-old preschool children in the Republic of Serbia. Stratified cluster sampling was implemented. Children were examined in four administrative regions of Serbia. Dental caries indices (decayed, missing, and filled) for deciduous teeth and the first permanent molar were recorded at the tooth level (dmft, DMFT) and surface level (dfs, DFS). In addition to cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS 3-6), visual changes in enamel (ICDAS 1-2) were recorded. This study included 1060 3-year-old and 1820 6-year-old children in Serbia. Fifty-six percent of 3-year-olds and 21% of 6-year-olds were caries-free. The mean dmft was 2.11 ± 3.45 for 3-year-olds and 4.46 ± 3.69 for 6-year-olds. The mean dfs was 2.62 ± 5.56 for 3-year-olds and 6.06 ± 6.33 for 6-year-olds. The decayed component was dominant in dmft/dfs. The prevalence of surfaces with initial lesion was 8% for 3-year-olds and 13% for 6-year-olds. Among children diagnosed with early childhood caries, 54% of 3-year-olds and 37% of 6-year-olds had a severe form. The mean DMFT was 0.15 ± 0.55, with only the first permanent molars being affected. Dental caries remains a significant public dental health issue among preschool children in Serbia. There is a noticeable trend of increasing numbers of decayed teeth as children progress through their preschool years. It is imperative to take corrective action enhance the existing oral health prevention program in Serbia with the aim of achieving better dental health among preschool children.
本研究旨在评估塞尔维亚共和国3至6岁学龄前儿童的龋齿状况。采用分层整群抽样方法。在塞尔维亚的四个行政区对儿童进行检查。记录乳牙和第一恒磨牙的龋齿指数（龋、失、补），包括牙齿水平（dmft、DMFT）和牙面水平（dfs、DFS）。除了已患龋损（国际龋病检测和评估系统[ICDAS] 3 - 6级）外，还记录了釉质的视觉变化（ICDAS 1 - 2级）。本研究纳入了塞尔维亚1060名3岁儿童和1820名6岁儿童。56%的3岁儿童和21%的6岁儿童无龋。3岁儿童的平均dmft为2.11±3.45，6岁儿童为4.46±3.69。3岁儿童的平均dfs为2.62±5.56，6岁儿童为6.06±6.33。龋坏部分在dmft/dfs中占主导。3岁儿童初始病变牙面的患病率为8%，6岁儿童为13%。在被诊断为幼儿龋的儿童中，54%的3岁儿童和37%的6岁儿童为重度。平均DMFT为0.15±0.55，仅第一恒磨牙受影响。龋齿仍是塞尔维亚学龄前儿童中一个重要的公共口腔健康问题。随着儿童度过学龄前阶段，龋坏牙齿数量有明显增加的趋势。必须采取纠正措施，加强塞尔维亚现有的口腔健康预防项目，以实现学龄前儿童更好的口腔健康。
