title: Changes in caries prevalence and oral hygiene skills among preschool-aged children in Lithuania between 2000 and 2010.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with the prevalence and severity of dental caries as well oral hygiene habits among 4- to 6-year-old children in Kaunas (Lithuania) in 2000 and 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated cross-sectional study was carried out to reveal the changes in dental caries prevalence in 2000 and 2010. The study population comprised 4- to 6-year-old children living in Kaunas city and attending kindergartens. The study consisted of two parts: questionnaires on oral health behavior and clinical examination of children's teeth by the World Health Organization methodology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 941 4-6-year-old children were examined in 2000 and 2010. The prevalence of dental caries increased from 85.4% in 2000 to 88.4% in 2010; however, the difference was not significant (P=0.28). A significant increase in the dmf-t index, describing the severity of dental caries, was observed (from 7.42 in 2000 to 12.03 in 2010, P<0.001). The percentage of 4- to 5-year-old girls and 5-year-old boys brushing their teeth regularly decreased in 2010. During the period of the study, a significant change in the accumulation of plaque on children's tooth surfaces was documented (P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparing 2000 and 2010, no significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries among 4- to 6-year-old children in Kaunas was observed; however, the severity of dental caries differed significantly. A significant decrease in regular toothbrushing skills was documented for 4- and 5-year-old girls and 5-year-old boys. The Silness-Loe oral hygiene index was assessed as satisfactory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lukšos-Daumanto 6, 50106 Kaunas, Lithuania. jaune.razmiene@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jaunė
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Razmienė
authors.forename: Giedrius
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanagas
authors.forename: Eglė Aida
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bendoraitienė
authors.forename: Vilija
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Andriuškevičienė
authors.forename: Eglė
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Slabšinskienė
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors