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Published on: December 31, 2017

Prevalence of gingivitis in 6- to 11-year-old Croatian children

A Bossnjak1, Z Curilovic, V Vuccicevic-Boras

  • 1Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Zagreb, Croatia. bosnjak@sfzg.hr

European Journal of Medical Research
|August 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Gingivitis affects a significant number of children aged 6-11 in Zagreb, Croatia. Early intervention and oral hygiene education are crucial for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Gingivitis is a common inflammatory condition affecting the gums.
  • Early detection and intervention in children are vital for long-term oral health.
  • Urban environments may present unique factors influencing oral hygiene practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of gingivitis in children aged 6 to 11 years.
  • To assess gingival health in two urban settlements in Zagreb, Croatia.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 1025 children participated in the study.
  • The Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) was utilized to evaluate gingival health.
  • Gingival condition was assessed on 12 specific tooth surfaces per child.

Main Results:

  • 43% of children exhibited healthy gingival tissue.
  • Bleeding was observed from one surface in 12% of children, two surfaces in 6%, three surfaces in 5%, four surfaces in 17%, and five to eight surfaces in 17%.
  • The findings indicate a prevalent, yet generally slight to moderate, level of gingivitis.

Conclusions:

  • Gingivitis is a common condition among the studied pediatric population.
  • Effective oral hygiene instruction and consistent monitoring in schools are essential to prevent and manage gingivitis.
  • Public health initiatives focusing on pediatric oral hygiene are recommended.
Abstract

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