ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To improve the methodology for conducting preventive examinations of children by a dentist by identifying and preventing the risks of achieving their qualitative results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A test version of the questionnaire was created, which was tested in a pilot study to assess validity and correction. A survey of 100 general dentists in Smolensk, Kaluga, Kaliningrad, Tula, who had previously participated in preventive dental examinations of children, was conducted. Questions were asked regarding the problems of organizing inspections, training, proposals for improving inspections. A comparative analysis of the risks of reducing the quality of examinations for each of the regions was carried out, proposals were made to improve the organization and conduct of medical examinations of children. RESULTS: As a result of the survey, a significant similarity of opinions of dentists in four cities of the Russian Federation on the problems and risks of annual preventive examinations of children was established. Among the weaknesses of the process, one should highlight the lack of time to examine the child; lack of specialized premises and a nurse; the absence of a unified form of a dental preventive examination card. This reduces the quality of diagnostics and continuity of medical care. Self-assessment by general practice dentists of their training in relation to diagnostics in children demonstrated a low level of knowledge of the issues of bite pathology, oral mucosa, and age periods of the dentoalveolar system. The lack of medical knowledge of more than 70% of doctors involved in preventive examinations of children is a key risk that requires immediate corrective action. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are the basis for the recommendation of advanced training of dentists at least once every three years on the subject of preventive examinations of children. The process of dental medical examination of the child population needs to be corrected at the legislative and executive levels.
