Risk of Dental Caries for Children Aged 4 to 6 in Craiova

ABSTRACT: Dental caries represent a chronic disease of high prevalence for the human body and is produced by the interaction of a number of predisposing factors throughout the time. Specialized studies in recent years have made some progress with regard of complex interacting factors in the process of developing dental caries in children, but due to the plurifactorial nature of the disease it seems that there is still much to be studied regarding the start, progress and prevention of tooth decay.The aim of the study was to determine the risk of tooth decay in children aged 4 to 6 years in Craiova and the relationship of the main etiopathogenic cariogenic factors. Material and Methods: The study included a total of 101 children of both sexes, aged 4-6 years, from two kindergartens in Craiova. They filled out questionnaires about food and oral hygiene habits and after that the study protocol included visual clinical examination in according to WHO methodology; determination of dmft index with the analysis of dt, mt and ft component The results were recorded in personal files and were analyzed statistically. Results: The results of our study were consistent with data from the literature of recent years. So, the highest value of the dmft index (2.52) was at the age group of 6. Conclusions: The most significant contribution to the values of carious experience is the number of teeth affected by caries at the expense of obturated ones.