Prevalence and progression of early childhood caries in Nis, Serbia

Authors

  • M Igic Department of Preventive and Children Dentistry, Dental Clinic, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Nis
  • R Obradovic Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Dental Clinic, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Nis
  • G Filipovic Department of Orthodontics, Dental Clinic, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Nis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.02.12

Keywords:

Early childhood caries, Prevalence, Progression

Abstract

AIM: Early childhood caries (ECC) entails the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled teeth in children aged up to 71 months. Our aim is to present the prevalence and progression of ECC in Nis, Serbia. METHODS: The study was performed at the Clinic of Dentistry in Nis;, involving 250 children aged 3 to 6 years. The prevalence of caries was presented using the dmf index. Depending on the progression, tooth decay was reported as dI (superficial decay), dII (deep decay), dp (pulpitis), dg (dental gangrene), and dx (chronic apical periodontitis). CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the prevalence of early childhood caries is relatively high. Therefore, health education for parents has to be intensified, focusing on the significance of preservation of health of the primary teeth all the way to their physiological replacement with the permanent teeth.