Prevalence of dental caries in 3-6-year-old children in Prishtina, Kosovo

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ABSTRACT

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental caries status in deciduous dentition and associated risk factors in kindergarten children in Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among 655 kindergarten children aged 3-6 years from Prishtina. Dental health status was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, extracted and filled surfaces of the teeth (defs index) in the deciduous dentition. At the same time, a questionnaire was completed with the children’s parents/guardians to identify potential risk factors associated with deciduous dental caries. Statistical analysis was performed using frequencies, means, and chi-square test.

Results

The mean number of decayed tooth surfaces was high in all age groups and increased with the age of the children, while the mean value of the defs index in 3-6-year-old kindergarten children was 10.05 ± 15.348. Boys tended to have higher defs scores compared to girls (10.69±15.101 / 9.18±15.665). The questionnaire developed with the children’s parents/guardians revealed that 455 (69.5%) out of 655 of their children brushed their teeth without parent/guardian supervision, 51.9% of children brushed their teeth only once a day and visited the dentist once a year (77.6%).

Conclusion

The deciduous dental caries status of kindergarten children in Prishtina remains serious problem. Regular dental check-ups, accompanied by oral health education through regular tooth brushing, and dental visits are recommended for all kindergarten children and the children’s parents/guardians.

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