Comparative assessment of dental caries intensity and enamel caries resistance in children raised in families and residential care institutions

Objective. To compare dental caries prevalence and intensity, enamel caries resistance, and mixed-saliva pH in children aged 6–7 and 12 years raised in families or residential care institutions. Materials and methods. Baseline data from 484 children aged 6–7 and 12 years were analysed: 287 residents of three residential care institutions and 197 schoolchildren raised in families. In children aged 6–7 years, caries intensity was assessed using the combined DMFT+dft index; in 12-year-olds, using the DMFT index. Caries prevalence was calculated as the proportion of children with at least one decayed, filled, or missing tooth due to caries. Index structure, pH of mixed saliva, and enamel resistance test scores were also analysed. Results. In 6–7-year-old residents, caries prevalence was 81.8–93.0% versus 79.2% in the comparison group; DMFT+dft was 4.45±0.64 to 6.25±0.72 versus 3.56±0.18. In 12-year-old residents, prevalence was 77.6–92.3% versus 72.3%; DMFT was 2.80±0.40 to 6.16±0.32 versus 1.54±0.28. Untreated decayed teeth predominated among residents, whereas filled teeth formed the larger component in the comparison group. Residents had lower mixed-saliva pH and higher enamel resistance test scores, indicating lower enamel caries resistance. Conclusion. Children raised in residential care institutions had higher caries prevalence and intensity, a higher proportion of untreated decayed teeth in the corresponding caries indices, and less favourable enamel caries-resistance indicators than schoolchildren raised in families. These findings support timely dental treatment and differentiated preventive monitoring in residential care institutions.

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