Evidence for dental caries decline among children in an East European country (Hungary)

In Central and Eastern Europe oral health systems are in transition due to the economic and political changes. The aim of the present study was to hig hlight the long-term trend in dental caries prevalence of Hungarian childre n. A WHO National Pathfinder Survey of oral health status was conducted in 1996 which included 6-year-olds (n=900) and 12-year-olds (n=900). Similar s urveys were performed in 1985 (age 6-7, n=895; age 12, n=893) and in 1991 ( age 5-6, n=898; age 12, n=898) and the surveys were based on the same sites and examination criteria. Clinical data were collected by trained dental e xaminers according to the WHO Basic Methods. In 1996, 73% of 5-6-year-olds and 84.5% of 12-year-olds were affected by dental caries. At age 5-6 the me an dmft was 4.5 and at age 12 the DMFT was 3.8. In both groups, the d/D-com ponents were high (5-6 years: dt/dmft=89%; 12 years: DT/DMFT=45%). For chil dren aged 5-6, the mean caries experience increased from 1991 (3.7 dmft) to 1996 (4.5 dmft) (P<0.01) whereas DMFT of 12-year-olds declined from 5.0 in 1985 and 4.3 in 1991 (P<0.01). The differences in caries experience by urb anization level were reduced over time. In 1996, 72% of 12-year-olds had gi ngival bleeding (CPI scores 1 + 2), and 23% had moderate/severe malocclusio n. In conclusion, in order to meet the need for dental care in schoolchildr en in Hungary health authorities are encouraged to revitalize the school de ntal services. Implementation of community-based health promotion is needed to control oral disease in Hungarian children.