THE PREVENTION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES IN KOSOVO PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

Aim: To test effectiveness over 2 years of Fluor protector S (7700 ppm fluoride) in the prevention of Early childhood caries (ECC) in Kosovo preschool children.

Method: 500 children aged 18-48 months were randomly selected at ten kindergartens in the capital Prishtina. The subjects were randomly divided into equal test and control groups. Fluor protector, was applied in the test group 4 times a year, over two years. The control group was examined similarly to the test group, plus advice given for daily oral hygiene. Exclusion criteria were: uncooperative children, children with special needs, etc. Dental status was recorded based on International caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) index. Examinations were carried out by one profesor, three specialist and a PhD candidate in from preventive dentistry. Diagnostic criteria was calibrated with inter- examiner reliability of kappa = 0.90 based on the examination of 25 children. Statistical tests included T-test or analysis of the variance (One Way ANOVA). This study was approved by the Ethical Board of the Medical Faculty of Kosova. All participants parents gave informed consent.

Results: The mean dmfs at base line in the test group was 1.4 teeth in the control group, 0.9 teeth. At the end of 2 years the mean dmfs for the test group was 5.3, and for the control group it was 10. The fluoride varnish had significantly reduced caries by 50%, compared with the control group. At the end of the study, there were 151 (69%) caries free children in the test group and 88 (42%) in the control group, with a significant difference between groups (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Early childhood caries with very high prevalence remains a serious medical and social problem, especially in countries where there is no national program of oral health, such as in Kosovo. Application of Fluor protector S, 4 times a year is effective in caries reduction. Fluor protector S application to newly erupted teeth accompanied by education and dietary measures may reduce the high prevalence of ECC.