Dental status and oral hygiene in children aged 6-7 and 11-12 from Szczecin, Poland

Introduction
Despite the continuing prevention and oral health educational programs, the incidence of caries in Poland among developmental age population remains high and shows an increasing trend in older age groups.

Objectives
The aim of the study was the assessment of dental status and oral hygiene in children aged 6-7 and 11-12 from urban areas.

Material and methods
The aim of the study was the assessment of dental status and oral hygiene in children aged 6-7 and 11-12 from urban areas. The study groups comprised of 313 children aged 6-7 (171 girls and 142 boys) and 292 children aged 11-12 (133 girls and 159 boys). We evaluated the number of permanent and deciduous teeth with caries (P, p), the number of teeth extracted due to caries (U, u), and the number of teeth with fillings due to caries (W, w). The results allowed for calculation of average PUW/puw number for permanent and deciduous teeth, and the frequency of caries. The study also provides the assessment of oral hygiene status using the approximal plaque index (API).

Results
The present study found that the frequency of caries with respect to deciduous teeth in children aged 6-7 was 76%, and in the group of children aged 11-12 (permanent teeth) it was 52%. The differences regarding sex in both age groups were not statistically significant, and amounted to 76% for boys and 75% for girls in the 6-7 age group, and 50% for boys and 58% for girls in the 11-12 age group.

Conclusions
The analysis of data obtained in our study shows a high frequency of caries in the 6-7 and 11-12 age groups. Oral hygiene status identified for both groups remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, it seems necessary to implement dental prophylaxis actions and promote health education among school-age children.