Oral health status of urban and country-side preschool age children and parental knowledge regarding prevention of oral diseases

The relevance of the problem and aim of the research: children‘s caries has always been a widespread social problem which has had influence on child‘s physical, mental and social health. The aim of this research was to investigate preschool children‘s tendency to be ill with caries, to identify links between education of the parents who live in town and village, their knowledge about oral care and the development of caries. Material and methods: In September and October 2017 the survey and clinical research were carried out in certain preschool institutions in Kaunas town and Prienai region. 150 questionaires of 21 questions were prepared. 120 parents (custodians) and 120 children aged 5–6 years took part in the research. The answers of the questionaire provided possibility to find out residence of the parents, their marital status, education. It also provided information about children‘s eating habits, how parents take care of the children‘s teeth, where they get information about oral care, the frequency and the reasons why they visit dentists. During clinical research kp-p index of deciduous teeth was evaluated as well as caries prevalence and intensity. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 15.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), the significance level of 0,05 was chosen. Results: Total prevalence of caries is 77,5%, the resulting of caries intensity is medium - 2,93 (3,975). Average kp-p index was higher among the children who live in the countryside – 3,25 (4,024), whereas among those, who reside in town – 2,6 (3,932). Children have significantly more teeth with decayed surface than with filled surface. More filled surfaces are observed among the children who live in town. Parents don‘t pay enough attention to the dental care of their children. There is a strong connection between parental education, place of residence, acquired knowledge, attention paid to the oral care of the children and children‘s caries intensity. Conclusions: The incidence of caries among pre-school age children remains high. Total prevalence of caries is 77,5%, intensity 2,93 (3,975). Enhanced public education, more active implementation of prevention programs, more active cooperation of dentists, family doctors and parents are necessary to reduce the incidence of caries among pre-school age children