[Oral health promotion for children in boarding schools].
BACKGROUND
In Israel there are approximately 9,000 "sheltered" children who are lodged in several boarding schools. These children have been removed from their parents' guardianship, some with their parents permission and some by court order, usually due to neglect or abuse. This article describes these children and the efforts implemented regarding oral health: dental care insurance, a preventive program which has been conducted for approximately 10 years among 80 boarding schools and family care shelters, evaluation of these services and caries levels among the children.


METHODS
A sample of 123 children was examined in four Israeli boarding schools. The DMF(T) index was employed according to WHO guidelines, by one examiner, using a torch, plane dental mirror and probe when required.


RESULTS
An average DMF(T) level of 4.62 was detected among 12 year olds. Among all the children from ages 1-18 years, only 30% were caries free. The rate of caries-free children decreased with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Caries prevalence among this population was higher than levels reported in Israel and abroad. There is a clear need for oral health promotion among this community.
Adut
R
R
Dept. of Community Dentistry, the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem.
Yakobovitch
Y
Y
Sgan-Cohen
H D
HD
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012571:School Dentistry; D012574:Schools