[Dental status among schoolchildren in Kaunas and analysis of oral health care].

The prevalence of dental caries is very high (98%) among schoolchildren in Lithuania. Effective prevention, early diagnostics, and appropriate treatment of the disease will guarantee good oral health, proper functioning of the dentition. The aim of the present study was to assess the oral status in 7-, 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren in Kaunas as well as to define the methods of oral health care, quality of the restorations, opinion of the heads of the clinics concerning the oral health care in their institutions. A total of 586 children were examined. The questionnaires were filled out by the heads of the private clinics and primary health care centers. Oral health status was evaluated according to the criteria of World Health Organization. Results of the study showed that the prevalence of dental caries increased with the age of the children ranging from 20.6% among 7-year-olds up to 95.9% among 15-year-olds. The need for dental treatment was found in 38.9% of 7-year-olds and 51.8% of 15-year-olds; 3.8% were in need of prosthodontic treatment. More than a half of fillings (52.5%) were of good quality, and 47.5% had to be replaced. Private clinics had better dental equipment (81.8%) in comparison with the primary health care centers (55.0%). Better instruments and materials were in private clinics (86.4%) than in primary health care centers (40.0%). According to the answers, the heads of the clinics and centers think that better dental service for the patients might be given by better financing of the institutions and effective prevention of dental caries.