THE MAIN ASPECTS TO PREVENT DISEASES OF THE ORAL CAVITY IN CHILDREN RESIDING IN THE TOWN OF CHERNIVTSI

Dental sickness rate in our country is rather high, and its further increase may be expected in case the conditions affecting it are not changed for the better. Prophylaxis has been given the priority concerning the understanding of a comprehensive health care of a child. In spite of a well known fact that it is easier to prevent than to treat, prophylaxis of caries in our country has been forgotten for a long time. The aim of the study – to investigate the condition of the hard dental tissues, periodontal tissues and hygienic condition of the oral cavity in children living in different social-hygienic surroundings. Materials of Medods. The first stage of our investigation was to perform written questionnaire of children and their parents. The principal questions of the questionnaire were the place and living conditions of children, the character of diet, initiation of preventive examinations of the oral cavity, the choice of the subjects and means for oral care. Results and Discussion. After assessment of clinical signs of the children included into the first examined group, residing under favourable living conditions, able to undergo prophylaxis examinations and make complete use of essential preventive subjects and means against diseases of the oral cavity, we have obtained the following results: intensity of caries process was 2.4 – 2.7, corresponding to a low and moderate level of caries intensity; hygienic index was on an average 1.8 – 2.0, which is indicative of a satisfactory condition of the oral cavity; papillary-marginal-alveolar index was from 10 to 25 %, that is, a mild degree of inflammatory process of the gums, that might be caused by physiological rebuilding of the dental rows and dentoalveolar system on the whole. Conclusions. The investigations conducted are indicative of the fact that timely and correct use of preventive measures results in decreased level of caries affliction. Initiation of sanitary-educational work, regular preventive examinations promote improvement of the hygienic condition of the oral cavity of patients