Evaluation of Caries Preventive Community Oral Health Programs

Objectives: To evaluate preventive effect of the community oral health programs composed of 10-year sealant and 6-year water fluoridation program implemented by the public health center in Habcheon-county, Korea. Methods: Children(n=1,263) aged 6 to 14 years in Habcheon-county and same aged children(n=863) in non-fluoridated but 4-year-sealant supplied 14 counties of Korean national oral health survey in 2006 were selected by random stratification. Calibrated dentists joined dental caries survey. From the differences of DMFT scores, the reduction rates owing to community oral health program were estimated. Over 90% of children in Habcheon and control counties are estimated to use fluoride-containing toothpastes. Results: Caries prevalence rates were 32.1%, 44.5% and 54.7% among 9, 12 and 14 year old children in Habchon, and 34.8%, 68.7% and 78.1% among 9, 12 and 14 year old children in control counties. DMFT scores were 0.75, 1.31 and 1.88 among 9, 12 and 14 year old children in Habcheon, and 0.77, 2.60 and 3.73 among 12 and 14 year old children in control counties. Differences of DMFT scores were 0.02, 1.29 and 1.85 among 9, 12 and 14 year old children between Habcheon and control counties. The caries reduction rates were estimated to be 49.6% and 49.6% among 12 and 14 year old children by the differences of DMFT scores between Habcheon and control counties. Conclusion: A significant caries reduction on permanent teeth was achieved by sealant and fluoridation program even though over 90% of children in Hachoen and control counties use fluoride-containing toothpastes.