Does dental health of 6-year-olds reflect the reform of the Israeli dental care system?

Abstract

BackgroundThe National health insurance law enacted in 1995 did not include dental care in its basket of services. Dental care for children was first included in 2010, initially up till 8 years of age. The eligibility age rose to 12 years in 2013.The dental survey of 6 year-olds in 2007 found that the average of decayed, missing and filled teeth index (dmft) was 3.31 and 35 % of children were caries free. The current cross sectional survey of dental health for 6 year-olds was conducted as a comparison to the pre-reform status.MethodsTwenty-three local authorities were randomly selected nationwide. Two Grade 1 classes were randomly chosen in each. The city of Jerusalem was also included in the survey because of its size. The children were examined according to the WHO Oral Health Survey Methods 4th ed protocol. The dental caries index for deciduous teeth (dmft: decayed, missing, filled teeth) was calculated.ResultsOne thousand two hundred ten children were examined. 61.7 % of the children suffered from dental decay and only 38.3 % were caries free. The mean dmft was 2.56; d = 1.41 (teeth with untreated caries), f = 1.15 (teeth damaged by decay and restored), virtually none were missing due to caries. Dental caries prevalence was rather consistent, an average of over 2 teeth affected per child. Although there is no major change in comparison to former surveys, there is more treated than untreated disease. In the present survey the f component is higher than in the past, especially in the Jewish sector where it is the main component. It is still lower in the Arab sector.ConclusionsAlthough the level of dental disease remained rather constant, an increase in the treatment component was observed. In order to reduce caries prevalence, preventive measures such as school dental services and drinking water fluoridation should be extended and continued. Primary preventive dental services should be established for children from birth, with an emphasis on primary health care and educational settings, such as family health centers and kindergartens.

Association of caries experience and dental plaque with sociodemographic characteristics in elementary school-aged children: a cross-sectional study

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Dental status, visits, and functional ability and dietary intake of elderly in Israel

“…The Israeli dental system underwent substantial changes in the last decade [ 25 ]. Dental care for children was included in the National Health Insurance law.…”

The role of the saliva antioxidant barrier to reactive oxygen species with regard to caries development

“…Despite technological advancement and the development of new treatment techniques, health requirements for diseases of the oral cavity are increasing. A large number of developing countries struggle with oral cavity health problems [1][2][3]. A good oral cavity health state is a necessary condition for a healthy lifestyle, which can be influenced by oral cavity diseases such as caries [4].…”