A epidemiological study on the oral health in preschool children for the development of community based oral health program in Sungnam city

성남시 보건소 유아구강보건사업 개발을 위한 구강건강실태에 관한 조사연구

Dental caries causes the majority of tooth loss among Koreans. Korea is experiencing an increase in dental caries. And it shows a high prevalence of caries in preschool children, which contrasted with the much-improved situation in developed countries. So, it is important to control caries from preschool periods in Korea. Recently, inspections of the teeth of preschool children for evidence of dental disease became a legislative duty in Korea following Oral Health Act(2000). But, standardized oral health programs in preschool children is not yet proposed. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an community based oral health program in preschool children. The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data for the development of community based oral health program in preschool children of Sungnam city. Oral health status in primary dentition were surveyed in 862 2-6 year-old preschool children of Sungnam city by WHO criteria. From the data, df rate, percentage of preschool child ren with active caries, dft index, dt rate, percentage of preschool children with pit and fissure sealant of each age were calculated, and discussed. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The experience of dental caries in primary dentition showed a tendency to increase quickly between 2 and 3 year old children. So, the oral health program in preschool children should be developed to prevent dental caries and control their oral health under three years of age. 2. In 5 year-old children, the percentage with active caries was 60.8% and dft index was 5.06. The dt rate showed a tendency to decrease as proportion to age, but even though 6 year-old children, the dt rate was 47.7%. Therefore, the annual screening dental examination and oral health education programs at the institution for preschool children should be developed to detect and treat dental caries in primary dentition at early stage. 3. The percentage of preschool children with pit and fissure sealant at six years of age was 10.2%. So, pit and fissure sealant and professional fluoride application programs in Public Health Center should be developed to prevent dental caries. 4. Also, it is necessary to establish oral health goals in preschool children and develop water fluoridation program 10 improve and preserve oral health of preschool children in Seongnam city, effectively.