Polish public programme of dental caries prevention in children aged 6, 12 and 18 years in 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Studies conducted within the framework of "Monitoring of oral health in Polish population", adapted by Ministry of Health, determined the percentage of children aged up to 18 years who were involved in prophylactic programme in schools. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed at analyzing the prophylactic programme conducted in 2012 in Poland, combined with the procedure of sealing of primary and permanent lateral teeth in 3 age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 5,723 children aged 6, 12 and 18 years living in 7 voivodeships were involved in epidemiological study. The study was conducted pursuant to WHO recommendations (Oral Health Surveys). RESULTS: The percentage of children in particular age groups involved in prophylactic programme was: 34.8% and 97.3%, while the 18-year-olds were not subject to prophylaxis. Taking into account the completion status of prophylactic programmes, considerable differences between voivodeships were observed. A minor percentage of children aged 6 years had primary and permanent teeth sealed with their respective share being 0.6% and 7.1%. The percentage of children aged 12 years with sealed teeth amounted to 33%. The noticed disprities in the percentage of sealed teeth in particular voivodeships ranged from 1.4 to 56.0%. Less than 1% (0.8%) of examined 18-year-olds required sealing of teeth as generally lateral teeth in this age were filled or affected by dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Having analyzed the place of residence (urban, rural area) in relation to the number of children involved in prophylactic programme, no differences were observed in children aged 6 years. However, considerable disparities were present between particular voivodeships. A minor percentage of 6-year-olds had sealed permanent teeth, its value was less regarding primary teeth. 2. Nearly all children aged 12 years were subject to fluoride prophylactic programme, while in four voivodeships it amounted to 100%. The percentage of sealed teeth was 33%. From the analysis of number of sealed teeth in examined children transpires that more than 67% of children had no sealing of teeth, while 13% of them had from 4 to 6 teeth with sealants.

Oral health and prophylactic-therapeutic needs of children aged 6 years in Poland in 2012.

BACKGROUND: Irrespective of the fact that in developed countries, a reduction of dental caries incidence is observed, it still remains the most common chronic disease affecting children in Poland. OBJECTIVES: In the paper, the results of nationwide epidemiological studies conducted in Poland in 2012 within the framework of the Nationwide Dental Health Monitoring Programme were presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The children aged 6 years were enrolled into the study. Clinical assessment of oral health status of children was made in accordance with WHO recommendations. RESULTS: The percentage of healthy children aged 6 years, who did not have any signs of dental caries manifested with cavity, tooth filling or tooth loss was only 14.4%. On average, only one tooth per child was filled due to dental caries and four out of five teeth affected by dental caries required invasive treatment. Index of conservative treatment was very low and amounted to 0.23 +/- 0.24. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate high caries prevalence and significant prophylactic-therapeutic needs.

Polish public caries prophylaxis programme for children aged 5, 7 and 15 years, implemented in the year 2011.

BACKGROUND: Continuous monitoring of oral health status improves the quality of dental health care and the effectiveness of implemented prevention programs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the caries status in three age groups of Polish children and evaluation of the effectiveness of the nationwide caries prophylaxis program, including fissure sealing of deciduous and permanent teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a group of 6,271 chidren, 5, 7 and 15 years old, coming from 16 provinces of Poland, was included in the epidemiological survey. The study was based on WHO guidelines (Oral Health Surveys). RESULTS: the percentage of children covered by the prophylaxis program in 2011 was as follows: 5 years old--3.8%, 7 years old--48.3%, 15 years old--7.2%. Five-year-old children took part in prophylaxis program in 4 provinces, seven-year-old children--in 10 provinces, and 15-year-old children--in 3 provinces. The percentage of five-year-old children with sealed primary and permanent teeth was 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively. In the group of seven-year-old children it was 1.7% and 16.4% respectively, whereas in the group of 15-year-old children, the percentage of sealed permanent teeth was 7.2%. The obtained results varied in different provinces of Poland. CONCLUSIONS: Caries prophylaxis program developed for Polish children was implemented insufficiently, with significant differences depending on sex, age group and regional conditions. The total percentage of children with sealed primary and permanent dentition was very low on national scale, regardless of age and place of residence.

[The condition of dentition status of adults Polish citizens in years 1998-2009]. / Stan uzebienia doroslych mieszkanców Polski w latach 1998-2009.

Oral health status of 3 813 persons aged 35-44 and 65-74 was evaluated according to WHO recommendations. Caries presence was expressed by DMFT index. CPITN index was used for periodontal health assessment. In the years 1998-2009 increasing percentage of toothlessness was observed. The mean number of preserved teeth slightly increased, but percentage of population with preserved masticatory function significantly decreased. Percentage of population with healthy periodontum slightly increased. Percentage of patients with periodontitis and population with healthy sextants decreased. Mean value of DMFT index among population aged 35-44 remained unchanged, mean value of DT index increased and of MT index decreased.

Efficacy of pit and fissure sealing: long-term clinical observations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term clinical effects of fissure sealing in permanent teeth with regard to sealant retention, reduction of occlusal caries, and effect on the increment of smooth surface caries. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study included 360 children aged 7 to 8 years with caries-free permanent teeth. Children were divided into 4 groups, and fissure sealing was performed as follows: group 1 -- 1 maxillary first molar and 1 mandibular first molar sealed; group 2 -- all first molars sealed; group 3 -- all molars and premolars sealed on eruption; group 4 -- controls, no teeth sealed. Materials used for sealing were Nuva-Seal (Caulk), Concise Brand White Sealant System (3M ESPE), and Concise Enamel Bond System (3M ESPE). Control examinations were performed over 15 years, every 6 months for 2 years and then every 12 months. RESULTS: Complete sealant retention after 15 years was observed in 22.0% of cases, and partial retention in 35.0%. The degree of sealant retention affected the occurrence of occlusal caries in sealed teeth. Reduction in caries after 15 years was 36.0% when all first molars were sealed and 54.0% when all posterior teeth were sealed. Caries developed in 7.4% of teeth with complete sealant retention, in 15.0% of teeth with partial sealant retention, and in 31.0% of teeth with complete loss of sealant. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of sealant retention depends on the duration of observation and tooth type. The degree of caries reduction depends on the number of teeth sealed. Mean caries increment was lower in children with sealed teeth than in controls.