Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study
This study aimed to assess dental caries status of 3- to 6-year-old preschool children in the Republic of Serbia. Stratified cluster sampling was implemented. Children were examined in four administrative regions of Serbia. Dental caries indices (decayed, missing, and filled) for deciduous teeth and...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Tamara Peric Evgenija Markovic Jovan Markovic Bojan Petrovic Biljana Kilibarda Ana Vukovic Dejan Markovic |
| author_facet | Tamara Peric Evgenija Markovic Jovan Markovic Bojan Petrovic Biljana Kilibarda Ana Vukovic Dejan Markovic |
| author_sort | Tamara Peric |
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| description | This study aimed to assess dental caries status of 3- to 6-year-old preschool children in the Republic of Serbia. Stratified cluster sampling was implemented. Children were examined in four administrative regions of Serbia. Dental caries indices (decayed, missing, and filled) for deciduous teeth and the first permanent molar were recorded at the tooth level (dmft, DMFT) and surface level (dfs, DFS). In addition to cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS 3-6), visual changes in enamel (ICDAS 1-2) were recorded. This study included 1060 3-year-old and 1820 6-year-old children in Serbia. Fifty-six percent of 3-year-olds and 21% of 6-year-olds were caries-free. The mean dmft was 2.11 ± 3.45 for 3-year-olds and 4.46 ± 3.69 for 6-year-olds. The mean dfs was 2.62 ± 5.56 for 3-year-olds and 6.06 ± 6.33 for 6-year-olds. The decayed component was dominant in dmft/dfs. The prevalence of surfaces with initial lesion was 8% for 3-year-olds and 13% for 6-year-olds. Among children diagnosed with early childhood caries, 54% of 3-year-olds and 37% of 6-year-olds had a severe form. The mean DMFT was 0.15 ± 0.55, with only the first permanent molars being affected. Dental caries remains a significant public dental health issue among preschool children in Serbia. There is a noticeable trend of increasing numbers of decayed teeth as children progress through their preschool years. It is imperative to take corrective action enhance the existing oral health prevention program in Serbia with the aim of achieving better dental health among preschool children. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-40ae7d3422734603a00c15968ec186692025-08-20T02:24:37ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-05-0112669210.3390/children12060692Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder StudyTamara Peric0Evgenija Markovic1Jovan Markovic2Bojan Petrovic3Biljana Kilibarda4Ana Vukovic5Dejan Markovic6Clinic of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaClinic of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaClinic of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dentistry Clinic of Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr. Milan Jovanovic Batut”, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaClinic of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaClinic of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaThis study aimed to assess dental caries status of 3- to 6-year-old preschool children in the Republic of Serbia. Stratified cluster sampling was implemented. Children were examined in four administrative regions of Serbia. Dental caries indices (decayed, missing, and filled) for deciduous teeth and the first permanent molar were recorded at the tooth level (dmft, DMFT) and surface level (dfs, DFS). In addition to cavitated caries lesions (ICDAS 3-6), visual changes in enamel (ICDAS 1-2) were recorded. This study included 1060 3-year-old and 1820 6-year-old children in Serbia. Fifty-six percent of 3-year-olds and 21% of 6-year-olds were caries-free. The mean dmft was 2.11 ± 3.45 for 3-year-olds and 4.46 ± 3.69 for 6-year-olds. The mean dfs was 2.62 ± 5.56 for 3-year-olds and 6.06 ± 6.33 for 6-year-olds. The decayed component was dominant in dmft/dfs. The prevalence of surfaces with initial lesion was 8% for 3-year-olds and 13% for 6-year-olds. Among children diagnosed with early childhood caries, 54% of 3-year-olds and 37% of 6-year-olds had a severe form. The mean DMFT was 0.15 ± 0.55, with only the first permanent molars being affected. Dental caries remains a significant public dental health issue among preschool children in Serbia. There is a noticeable trend of increasing numbers of decayed teeth as children progress through their preschool years. It is imperative to take corrective action enhance the existing oral health prevention program in Serbia with the aim of achieving better dental health among preschool children.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/692oral healthcaries experiencepreschool childrenSerbia |
| spellingShingle | Tamara Peric Evgenija Markovic Jovan Markovic Bojan Petrovic Biljana Kilibarda Ana Vukovic Dejan Markovic Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study Children oral health caries experience preschool children Serbia |
| title | Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study |
| title_full | Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study |
| title_short | Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children in Serbia: A National Pathfinder Study |
| title_sort | prevalence of early childhood caries in 3 to 6 year old children in serbia a national pathfinder study |
| topic | oral health caries experience preschool children Serbia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/6/692 |
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