title: Prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old Greek children and the use of dental services: evaluation of socioeconomic, behavioural factors and living conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess dental caries and use of dental services experience in 5-year-old children attending public kindergartens in Attica, Greece and to examine the influence of certain socioeconomic factors and living conditions as well as dental behaviours and attitudes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a random and stratified sample of 605 Greek children was examined using decayed, missing, filled tooth surfaces and simplified debris indices. The use of dental services was measured by children's dental visits (any dental visit up to the age of 5 years). Care Index was also calculated. Risk indicators were assessed by a questionnaire. Zero-inflated Poisson and Logistic Regression Analysis were generated to test statistical significant associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of dental caries was 16.5%. Care Index was 32% and dental visits were reported for the 84% of the children. Medium Socio-Economic Level (SEL) was associated with no detectable caries. High SEL was related to decreased decayed, missing, filled teeth values, while female gender and rented houses had the opposite effect. The age of the mother (35-39 years) and the higher SEL were related to higher levels of dental services use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that there are differences in the experience of dental caries and use of dental services among preschool children in Attica, which are related to demographic, socioeconomic factors and living conditions. Dental public polices should focus on groups with specific characteristics in order to improve oral health levels of disease-susceptible populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Magdalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mantonanaki
authors.forename: Haroula
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koletsi-Kounari
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mamai-Homata
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides
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