[An attempt to assess the effectiveness of a program for planned dental care during the developmental period in light of clinical examination and questioning of dentistry students from the Pomeranian Medical Academy].

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of planned dental care in educational institutions. The investigation was carried out among 339 3rd, 4th and 5th year students of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, aged 22-26, who attended nurseries and schools in the years 1969-1989 in different communities (large towns, medium-sized towns, small towns, villages). The first part of the study consisted of questionary answers concerning dental care in general in nurseries, primary and high schools. On the basis of these answers two groups were distinguished: a group of students who had been subjected to planned dental care (positive surveys) and a group of students who had not been subjected to planned care (negative surveys) (Tab. 1). At the second stage the clinical examination of the surveyed students was carried out and the obtained data were registered on 1986 WHO record cards. The examination was performed among students who were subjected to dental care in primary and high school together with those students who were not subjected to this care. All examinations were done at a dental surgery with the use of a mirror, probe and a calibrated WHO-621 probe. Results of the surveys showed that systematically performed examinations of the oral cavity and systematic dental treatment were carried out for over 60% of surveyed students in primary schools and about 40% of surveyed students in high schools. In primary schools the organization of health education was more effective, its activity was confirmed by about 80% of respondents, while in high schools by only 40%. In response to question concerning topical fluoride preventive measures 40% of positive answers were obtained from the surveyed students concerning primary schools and 10% concerning high schools. Survey questions in the part referring to nurseries were often answered "I don't remember" therefore it is impossible to interpret the results. Fluoride tablets were taken by about 40% of surveyed students. Over 65% of respondents with diagnosed malocclusion were treated orthodontically. Among students with dental calculus over a half had it removed earlier. Much better results of clinical examinations were obtained in the group subjected to planned dental care at developmental age. In this group the average DMFT number was 11.31, the average number of teeth with untreated caries (D) was 0.82, average number of removed teeth because of caries (M) was 0.55, whereas in the negative group (not subjected to dental care) the average DMFT number was 14.61, average D number was 1.41, average M number was 2.54. The average number of filled teeth (F) showed no significant difference in both groups and was about 10 (Tab. 2). Malocclusion was diagnosed in about 30% of surveyed students in the group subjected to treatment and in over 45% of surveyed students not subjected to dental care in school (Tab. 2). In the group of positive surveys the proportion of respondents with healthy periodontium was over 11% whereas in the group of negative surveys it was about three times lower (Tab. 4). The results of the study show that planned program of dental care is most effectively carried out in primary schools. The results have confirmed that systematic dental care at development age has a positive effect on the stomatognathic system at mature age.