The Impact of a Preventive Dentistry Programme on Oral Health: A Pilot Study

Dental caries is considered to be a major public health problem (1,2). The Decayed, Missing, Filled (DMF) index is well established as the key measurement of the prevalence of caries in oral health evaluation (3,4). The DMF index has been recommended by the WHO as a parameter by which to assess the dental health situation in various societies (5). Dental surgeons working in the public sector have an important role to play in school dental health programmes (6). Oral diseases are ubiquitous and they carry not only physical but also socioeconomic and psychological consequences for the patients (7). This study aimed to analyze the impact of a preventive dentistry programme on oral health. The study group consisted of subjects (n=45; 37.8% male; mean age 5.1±0.8 yr) who regularly participated in a preventive dental programme educating children on good oral hygiene and healthy eating habits. The control group consisted of patients who did not participate in any preventive dental programme (n=25; 44.0% of males; mean age 6.0±0.0 yr). The children's oral health was evaluated using the DMF index.