Research Article
Cornelia Biclesanu, Anna Maria
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to perform a statistical study regarding the frequency of caries in a group of children and make a presentation of the methods used for prevention. Material and Method. The statistical study which lies at the basis of this work was performed on a randomised group of 120 children from Bucharest with ages between 6 and 13 years of age. The method included a dental examination with the help of visual-feeler exam by one examiner and data notes in individualized prophylaxis files and by completing a questionnaire in which I wished to find out data on dental exams, patients’ attitude towards the health of the dental-maxillary complex, hygiene knowledge, prophylactic fluoridations, and diet habits. Starting from this data, values of caries indexes were calculated (the frequency index and the index of medium intensity of caries) also taking into account the estimations and recommendations made by the International Health Organization, as well as the achievements of other states affiliated to WHO. Results and discussions. The analysis of the frequency index showed a medium value of 77%. The DMTF index, in the case of the children included in the study, showed a medium value of 3,33 with variations from 4,83 (6-7 years old), to 4 (8-9 years old), 3,33 (9-10 years old) and 3,36 (13-14 years old). Analysing on groups of ages, the indexes with the highest rates are those in the group of children with ages between 6-7 years, and if we take into account the sex, these indexes are lower for females, sometimes quite considerably. The method of brushing is scanty and the unhealthy feeding habits are an important factor of risk. It is well known that the best way to fight against a disease is to prevent it, and this is the reason why we propose several efficient methods of prevention (like teeth brushing, control over caries and sealing through healthy diet, etc). In order to motivate the patients to adopt a diet that helps preventing caries, an individual food journal was suggested, in which the patient recorded the hours and the kind of food consumed during one week. By analyzing this journal together with the patient, a mutual agreement can be reached as to which food represents a danger for the oral health and how its consumption can be restricted in order to reduce caries. For improving the techniques of brushing, for each patient the index of bacterial plaque was calculated using the O’Leary method and the methyl blue solution 2% as a developer of plaque. Verification of the sealing method was achieved by observing the group of patients for 18 months. Conclusions. The main concept of the customized prophylaxis consists in the recognition of patients with increased propensity to caries and in reducing the individual factors of risk through recommending a preventive and efficient treatment.