Changes in caries experience among 6-year-olds in Blekinge, Sweden between 1994 and 2000

For 6-year-old children in the County of Blekinge, the goal was that > 65 percent should have dmft = 0 in the year 2000. To formulate this goal a study on prevalence and distribution of caries in 6-year-old children was performed in 1994. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the dental health goal for the year 2000 was achieved and compare clinical data regarding oral status in children in 1994 and in 2000. The material comprised a random sample Of 225 children. The study from year 1994, which included 213 children, was repeated. A clinical investigation was performed and completed with bite-wing radiographs on individual indication, whenever the proximal surfaces could not be inspected clinically due to close and broad contact. In addition,the parents were asked questions about toothbrushing and use of fluoride tablets. 53 percent of the children showed healthyteeth with no initial caries lesions or restorations compared to 35 percent in 1994. The pattern of dental health was still very skewed among the children. The children with nine or more decayed surfaces increased from 2 percent in 1994 to almost 4 percent in 2000. The number of fissure sealings performed had increased between 1994 and 2000 by almost 50 percent in both primary molars and first permanent molars. However, the use of fluoride tablets had decreased from 20 percent in 1994 to 7 percent of the children in 2000. The data showed a decline in prevalence of dmf teeth and an increase in the percent of caries-free children but the difference was not significant on the 5 % level. However, as 47 % of the children were in need of restorative treatment, our dental health goal was not achieved. We also recommend that our preventive program with focus on primary prevention and individual risk assessment should also be targeted at the whole population of pre-school children and their parents.