Trends in dental caries in 12-year-old children in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

In Slovenia accurate data on caries trends have not been available. Therefore, in this epidemiological study the caries status of 12-year-old children was compared over time for the years 1970, 1985 and 1991. Each survey comprised examinations of around 150 children of similar socio-economic background, attending the same three schools in Ljubljana. Dental examinations in each survey were carried out by the same examiner. The mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) decreased from 8.15 in 1970 to 2.96 in 1991 (64%) and the mean number of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) decreased from 17.25 in 1970 to 5.11 in 1991 (70%). The mean number of carious surfaces per tooth dropped from 2.12 in 1970 to 1.72 in 1991. The greatest decline occurred on the approximal surfaces (92%), whereas the involvement of occlusal, lingual and buccal surfaces decreased by about 50-60%. The difference between mean DMFT in 1970 and 1985 was statistically significant. Similar differences were found for DMFS (p < 0.05). In the future, a further reduction in caries level may be expected following the introduction of fissure sealing for the preschool and schoolchild population.