Česká Stomatologie a Praktické Zubní Lékařství (Jun 2013)
Dental Check-Ups in Czech Preschool and School Children in 2001-2010 and their Trends
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine frequency and structure of preventive dental check-ups in children aged 0-14 years in 2010 and to assess their trend in the last decade (2001-2010). Material and methods: The following data were extracted from datasets on dental care provided to children covered by the General Health Insurance Fund of the Czech Republic: geographical area code, date of the check-up, child's ID and codes of procedures provided during the check-up (check-up, filling, extraction). Calculated parameters for the age-groups of 2-3, 3-6, 6-10 and 10-14 years: per cent seen by a dentist at least once a year, per cent seen twice a year, per cent of check-ups, which included restorative treatment (fillings) or tooth extractions. Statistical methods: Comparison of check-up frequencies - Snedecor's χ2 test with Yates correction, trends in check-up frequencies - linear regression, both at the significance of 95% (p = 0.05). Results: 2010: at the age of 2-3 years 66.7% of children visited dentist at least once a year, 28.6% of them visited dentist twice. At the age of 3-6 years the proportions were 66.4%/ 31.8%, respectively, at 6-10 yrs 84.2%/ 58.8%, respectively, and at 10-14 yrs 71.1%/ 55.8%, respectively. Over the period 2001-2010, the percentage of 2-3 yr-olds seen at least once a year or twice a year increased significantly (p=0.001). The frequency of check-ups in older preschool children did not change. About 85% of school children were seen at least once a year and the proportions of 6-10 and 10- 14 yr-olds seen twice a year increased significantly (p6-10=0.001, p10-14=0.012, resp.). Conclusion: Despite the fact that caries experience and treatment needs in Czech paediatric population declined over the investigated period, the trend in indicators of preventive dental care improved only partially, reflecting weaknesses of a current preventive health care system that lacks effective tools and incentives to enhance accessibility of preventive dental check-ups to preschool and school children.
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