Caries of primary teeth and regularity of dental check‐ups

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Abstract
The study consisted of 1332 children representing 81% of a stratified random sample from the Finnish population born in 1970-1972. Data on annual dental check-ups at the age of 2-5 yr, caries at the age of 6-8 yr and social class were obtained by questionnaire from municipal dental clinics. Of the children, 16% had had regular (3-4) check-ups, 42% occasional (1-2) check-ups and 42% no dental check-ups. Proportion of children with no check-ups was somewhat higher in the highest than in the other social classes. Of the children having no reported check-ups, 27% were entirely caries-free; 20% of those having occasional and 20% of those having regular check-ups were caries-free. The mean dmf (decayed, missing or filled tooth) values among patients with 1 or more dmf teeth was 5.5 in children with no reported check-ups, 6.0 and 5.8 in those with occasional or regular check-ups. The mean dt values were 2.9, 2.6 and 2.3, respectively. In cases with no history of check-ups, the mean ft value among patients with 1 or more dmf teeth was 2.8, with occasional check-ups, 3.6 and with regular check-ups, 3.9. Thus, a negative correlation existed between number of annual dental check-ups and number of untreated caries lesions found in cross-sectional examination; a positive correlation existed between frequency of check-ups and fillings found cross-sectionally. No clear correlation existed between regularity of annual dental check-ups and past caries experience (dmft).

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