Index of clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (pufa) in primary dentition of children from north-east Poland

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and experience of clinical consequences of untreated dental caries in primary dentition in 5 and 7 year-old children from north-east Poland and to find whether there is a correlation between dmft and pufa indices. Material/Methods: Two hundred fifteen children aged 5 and 7 years living in the Podlaskie region were examined in the course of the Polish National Oral Health Survey 2011. Caries prevalence and experience in primary dentition was evaluated according to WHO criteria (dmft index). The clinical consequences of untreated dental caries were assessed by pufa index. Results: The dmft index was 5.56 +/- 4.45 in 5-years-old children and 6.69 +/- 3.14 in 7-years-olds. The prevalence/experience of pufa index was 43.4%/2.20 +/- 3.43 and 72.4%/2.44 +/- 2.22, respectively. Children living in rural areas presented a worse dental condition. A statistical analysis revealed a strong relation between dmft and pufa in both age groups. Conclusion: The present study revealed negligence in the dental treatment of children from north-east Poland resulting in the high prevalence and experience of the pufa index in primary dentition. This index is a valuable measurement tool to record the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries.