D Hysi1, E Caglar2, E Droboniku1, C Toti1, O O Kuscu3. 1. Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine of Tirana, Albania. 2. Private Practice Paediatric Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey and Tirana, Albania. 3. Private /Practice Paediatric Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey and Tirana, Albania.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the dental caries experience and treatment needs among 5-year-olds in Albania. RESEARCH DESIGN: This cross sectional study was conducted in 2015 by using a cluster sampling technique. The dmft was used to assess dental caries experience and caries prevalence as percentages of children with dmf⟩0. Caries treatment needs were assessed with dt/dmft x 100, missing teeth with mt/dmft x 100 and ft /dmft x 100 as the Care Index. PARTICIPANTS: 2,039 five-year-olds, from 17 districts of Albania were selected . Children's residency was divided into 3 main regions (South, West, Central and North). METHOD: WHO 2013 diagnostic criteria were used and dental caries was recorded at cavity level d3. RESULTS: : The mean age was 5.4 (SD 0.5) years. The caries prevalence (dmf⟩0) was 84.1%. The prevalence of children without cavitated lesions (d=0) was 20.1%. The mean dmft index was 4.41 (SD 3.83). The caries treatment needs were 84% (SD 26%). CONCLUSIONS: The Albanian 5-year-olds assessed in this survey had a high dental caries experience and untreated cavities in the primary dentition. The national health authorities should introduce preventive programs and improved dental care access for this age group. Copyright
OBJECTIVE: To determine the dental caries experience and treatment needs among 5-year-olds in Albania. RESEARCH DESIGN: This cross sectional study was conducted in 2015 by using a cluster sampling technique. The dmft was used to assess dental caries experience and caries prevalence as percentages of children with dmf⟩0. Caries treatment needs were assessed with dt/dmft x 100, missing teeth with mt/dmft x 100 and ft /dmft x 100 as the Care Index. PARTICIPANTS: 2,039 five-year-olds, from 17 districts of Albania were selected . Children's residency was divided into 3 main regions (South, West, Central and North). METHOD: WHO 2013 diagnostic criteria were used and dental caries was recorded at cavity level d3. RESULTS: : The mean age was 5.4 (SD 0.5) years. The caries prevalence (dmf⟩0) was 84.1%. The prevalence of children without cavitated lesions (d=0) was 20.1%. The mean dmft index was 4.41 (SD 3.83). The caries treatment needs were 84% (SD 26%). CONCLUSIONS: The Albanian 5-year-olds assessed in this survey had a high dental caries experience and untreated cavities in the primary dentition. The national health authorities should introduce preventive programs and improved dental care access for this age group. Copyright
Authors: Iliana Diamanti; Elias D Berdouses; Katerina Kavvadia; Konstantinos N Arapostathis; Argy Polychronopoulou; Constantine J Oulis Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-21 Impact factor: 3.390