Epidemiology of dental caries in internally displaced children during wartime in Ukraine.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the oral health status of this vulnerable population in order to collect objective data that will contribute to the development of effective strategies for maintaining and improving oral health in wartime conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and Methods: This epidemiological study was carried out within the initial 6 months of the full-scale invasion of the country. The oral health indices of 1050 internally displaced children, aged 3 to 17 years, seeking dental care at the Municipal Children Dental Clinic in Poltava, were analyzed. RESULTS: Results: The total sample comprised 620 children aged 6-11 years (mean = 8.5, SD = 0.76), with a gender distribution of 52% boys and 48% girls. The participants were divided into three age groups: Group I (6-7 years), Group II (8-9 years), and Group III (10-11 years). The average prevalence of dental caries, as measured by the dmft + DMFT index, was 76.5%, with prevalence increasing with age. Specifically, the prevalence of dental caries based on the dmft index was lower in children of Group III (66.6%) compared to Group I (79.49%). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The analysis of the oral status among internally displaced children aged 6-11 years revealed higher dental caries prevalence and intensity compared to local children. Notably, children aged 6-7 years showed a high rate of caries in temporary teeth.

Determination of the structure of acute injury of temporary and permanent frontal teeth in children, analysis of diagnostic and treatment measures and their effects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To determine the structure of acute injuries of temporary and permanent frontal teeth in children, to analyze the applied diagnostic and treatment measures for acute tooth trauma and to investigate their effectiveness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The subject of the study were 31 children aged 2-12 years with acute temporary and permanent tooth trauma. Methods: clinical (radiological, thermodiagnosis), medical and statistical. RESULTS: Results: The number of injured permanent teeth was greater than the number of injured temporary teeth. The pattern of temporary and permanent tooth injuries differed, so in temporary teeth dislocations were observed, and in permanent teeth fractures prevailed over dislocations. In our opinion, this is due to the peculiarities of the anatomy of the temporary teeth. Usually, the therapeutic tactics of acute temporary teeth injuries is to remove them, despite their important role in the growth and development of jaws, physiological formation and eruption of permanent teeth. The therapeutic tactics of dynamic observation in the case of intrusive dislocation of the temporary tooth were selected in the clinic of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. In some cases, with a slight change in the position of the temporary tooth, self-regulation of its position was observed, in other cases the tooth remained dystopic, but its viability remained in 50% of cases. Therapeutic tactics of acute injuries of permanent teeth were selected according to the type of trauma. In the case of permanent tooth dislocation, with a slight change in its position, tooth immobilization was carried out by splinting with fiberglass tape and photopolymer composite material. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Our observations have shown that the complex of modern specialized medical care for the affected children with acute traumatic injuries of the teeth should be guided by their preservation, which ensures the subsequent normal formation of the dental-jaw apparatus. To ensure these conditions, a long, reliable immobilization of the damaged tooth is required as soon as possible after injury.

Consideration of childhood psychological factors at dental appointment.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Paediatric dentistry is a special field of dental practice. The scope of professional activities within this field covers not only high level of expertise and technical skills tailored to the needs of young patients, but requires searching and creating positive psychological environment and communicative management of each child in order to improve daily service methods. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the main psychological characteristics of the age developmental periods of child's personality that dental professionals should regard dealing with the paediatric patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study involved 124 paediatric participants aged 2,5 - 15 years, who were referred to get specialized dental care at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at the Municipal Paediatric Dentistry Hospital, Poltava. We have collected and identified behavioural patterns of children of all age groups during their contacts with dentists at the dental offices as well as studied the characteristics of childhood psyche age periods through the available literature. The data obtained were thoroughly As a result of the analysis of the obtained data, the principles for managing paediatric patients' behaviour at the dental office have been elaborated and introduced into the practice. RESULTS: Results: Outer evaluation of the children's activities performed is perceived by children as an assessment of personality, so any negative doctor's remark can provoke anxiety, irritability, and discomfort, apathy. Therefore, the paediatric specialists should remain attentive to physical and emotional indicators of stress when dealing with young patients. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Hence, among the key tasks of a paediatric dentist is to create the friendliest and most comfortable conditions for small patients, where they have the opportunity to play toys and receive little gifts for patience and courage.

Studying the skills attitudes on factors affecting dental health of children.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Nowadays, the high level of dental morbidity among children is an urgent medical problem. Healthy lifestyles and sanitary-hygienic upbringing in the family is most important components of the formation of dental health of children. But in order to be able to teach their children, parents need to be themselves knowledgeable about hygiene and prevention, have the necessary skills and desire to instill it in their children. The aim: The aim of our study was to assess the level of awareness of schoolchildren parents about the factors affecting the dental health of their children according to the questionnaire. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The article presents the results of a sociological survey in the form of anonymous polls on a specially designed questionnaire. With the help of the sociological method, 408 questionnaires, which were filled up by parents of students of general school №19 in Poltava, were processed and analyzed. RESULTS: Results: Among the interviewed individuals, we investigated groups of predictors that could increase the parents' awareness of the factors influencing the formation of health; to teach children by parents of the rules of personal hygiene of oral cavity and skills of self-prevention of dental diseases; on factors that lead to proper orthodontic pathology. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Based on the parents' answers to the factors which form the health of the population, we can conclude that their awareness on this issue is insufficient. The results of the survey show insufficient level of knowledge in the issues of the formation of health and prevention of dental diseases among the respondents. Thus, the necessity to carry out the corresponding work in educational institutions with the involvement of teachers, dental doctors, pediatricians and doctors of other specialties is determined.

Monitoring of efficiency of dental caries management in children's temporary teeth throughout Poltava oblast.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Dental caries is still a major health care problem not only in Ukraine but throughout the world. Complicated dental caries currently ranks the leading position among the oral diseases in children. The aim of this study is to carry out a analysis of the epidemiology of dental caries and its complications, and to evaluate the efficiency of the caries treatment for temporary teeth among the children of Poltava oblast over the last decade based on the data of the annual reports. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We have studied the figures reflecting the epidemiology of dental caries and its complications in Poltava oblast over the past ten years obtained through the analysis of the annual reports on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of paediatric dental service. RESULTS: Review: According to the annual reports from the districts, the number of cases of temporary teeth treatment for complicated caries did not change significantly when comparing the relevant data of 2007 and 2017. When carrying out the comparative analysis of annual reports for 2007 and 2017 by the indicator of the share of complicated caries, attention should be focused on the average increase of the value from 30.4% in 2007 to 35.9% in 2017. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The analysis of annual reports for 2007 and 2017 through Poltava oblast points out the low efficiency of dental caries management in the children's temporary teeth. As a result, outcomes of the dental caries treatment and caries complications in the children's temporary teeth are assessed as unsatisfactory both in the preventive and the therapeutic aspects.