PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF EARLY CHILDREN'S CARIES IN CHILDREN OF BUKOVINA

Abstract

Goal. To study the prevalence and intensity of early childhood caries in children of Bukovina. Materials and methods. 349 children aged 1 to 3 who were born and lived in Chernivtsi were examined. In all children, the caries indices of dmf and dsmsf were determined, according to which the prevalence and intensity of the disease were assessed. The level of intensity was determined by a modified and adapted to early childhood LICrt index (Bidenko NV, 2012). Scientific novelty. There has been an increase in the incidence of early childhood caries with increasing age of children, in particular, at the age of 1-2 years, almost one of five children had lesions of the hard tissues of the teeth. In children older than one year, the incidence increased 1.9 times, and at the age of 3-4 years 2.4 times and was assessed as high according to WHO criteria. The intensity of caries of temporary teeth in children also increased with age and was probably different in children of different age groups. During examinations of children, we recorded complications of caries. The percentage of children aged 1-2 years was 2.0%, 6.43% – in 2-3 years and 13.21% - in 3-4 years. Analysis of the location of carious cavities on the jaws and groups of teeth showed that in children aged 1-2 years the localization of the lesion on the frontal upper teeth is dominant. The second place in the frequency of lesions is occupied by the first temporary molar, which is primarily affected on the lower jaw, and then on the upper. In those examined at the age of 2-3 years, the percentage of lesions of the first temporary molars increases to 34.01%, while maintaining the tendency to the predominance of mandibular teeth, and the lesions of the second temporary molars are diagnosed for the first time.For children aged 3-4, the most affected tooth is the lower first temporary molar, followed by the upper frontal teeth, then the lower second molar and the upper first molar and the canines of the upper jaw. Conclusions. The prevalence and intensity of early childhood caries in children living in Chernivtsi are high, tend to increase with age, especially a sharp jump in the incidence is detected at the age of 2 years, which should be taken into account when developing a disease prevention system.