Oral Health in 12- and 15-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present the oral health profile of 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren in Serbia. Basic Methods for Oral Health Surveys of the WHO were implemented to record: Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth/Surfaces Index (DMFT/DMFS), gingival bleeding, enamel fluorosis and other structural anomalies, dental erosion, dental trauma, and oral mucosal lesions. In addition, Silness and Löe plaque index and orthodontic status were assessed. A total of 36% of 12-year-olds and 22% of 15-year-olds in Serbia were caries-free. The mean DMFT was 2.32 ± 2.69 for 12-year-olds and 4.09 ± 3.81 for 15-year-olds. DMFT was made up largely by the decayed component. Gingival bleeding was present in 26% of examined 12-year-old and 18% of 15-year-old children. Dental plaque was observed in 63% of both 12- and 15-year-olds. Fluorosis, structural anomalies, dental erosion, dental trauma, and oral mucosal lesion were rarely detected. Low prevalence of malocclusions was found. Oral disease is still a common public health problem among schoolchildren in Serbia. A significant increase in the prevalence of caries disease between 12- and 15-year-old groups implies that preventive care for adolescents requires special attention. Corrective actions and reforms to the current school-based oral health prevention program are needed to further improve oral health in Serbian children.

Influence of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on the surface topography and composition of nickel-titanium archwires during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances

“…A specific age group (teenagers) was selected to represent patients who often struggle to maintain adequate oral hygiene and a low incidence of caries. They were also anticipated to be the age group least expected to follow rules and protocols, and their dietary habits and compliance could not be controlled for [7]. However, the EDX data for wires from six patients who were likely non-compliant with the instructions for CPP-ACP reinforced the importance of findings in the rest of the group exposed to CPP-ACP, in comparison to the group with ROH and those in the baseline group.…”

“…The quality, duration, and esthetic outcome of orthodontic treatment is adversely affected by poor oral hygiene and accumulation of dental plaque around orthodontic brackets, on the archwires, and between the brackets and the gingival margins [5]. Adolescents are at higher risk of developing cavitated caries and white spot lesions (WSL) due to relatively poor compliance with oral hygiene regimen, and dietary choices (soft drinks, sugary food and snacks) [6,7]. These factors compromise oral health, especially in young orthodontic patients [8].…”

The Participation of Pediatric Dentists in Oral Health Promotion and Education in Serbia

“…The recent data show that only 36% of 12-year old children and 22% of 15-year old children were caries-free. ( 17 ) Thus, to optimize the oral health of all children, community-based, public health approaches are necessary.…”