Nursing caries. Incidence study

Abstract

Introduction. Nursing caries occurs at an incidence of 19.7% in the USA (Jeffrey Dean, 2016) and 15% in Romania (Luca R., 2017). Nursing caries is a specific form of dental decay that affects the deciduous dentition. The onset of nursing caries is at an early age and progresses rapidly both in depth and on surface. The risk factors in the development of nursing caries can be divided into three main categories: pathogenic microorganisms of the oral cavity, fermentable carbohydrates and dental substrate. Aim of the study. To evaluate the incidence of nursing caries during the prophylactic examination. Materials and methods. This study was conducted at the PMSI Municipial Stomatologic Center for Children , Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, in 2017. The total sample size of the cross-sectional study constituted 39 children aged between 1 and 3 years (average age 1,9±0,21 years). The evaluation, performed according to the World Health Organization methodology, involved direct visual inspection and indirect one using dental mirrors. The periodontal probe was also used to examine nursing caries on the dental surfaces. The results and observations of the inspection were collected in the dental medical records (form № 043/e). Results. Among the 39 examined subjects, 6 children were found to have nursing caries (15.38% of cases). Conclusions. Based on the conducted research on 39 subjects (average age 1,9±0,21), the incidence of nursing caries accounts for 15.38% (6 out of 39). The survey findings correspond to the data of other international studies involving the evaluation of nursing caries.