Caries of primary teeth and regularity of dental check-ups

The study consisted of 1332 children representing 81% of a stratified random sample from the Finnish population born in 1970-72. Data on annual dental check-ups at the age of 2-5 years, caries at the age of 6-8 years, and social class were obtained by questionnaire from municipal dental clinics. Sixteen percent of the children had had regular (3-4) check-ups, 42% occasional (1-2) check-ups and 42% no dental check-ups. Proportion of children with no check-ups was somewhat higher in the highest than in the other social classes. Of the children having no reported check-ups, 27% were entirely caries free; 20% of those having occasional and 20% of hose having regular check-ups were caries free. The mean dmft values among patients with one or more dmf teeth was 5.5 in children with no reported check-ups, 6.0 and 5.8 in those with occasional or regular check-ups. The mean dt values were 2.9, 2.26 and 2.3, respectively. In cases with no history of check-ups, the mean ft value among patients with one or more dmf teeth was 2.8, with occasional check-ups, 3.6, and with regular check-ups, 3.9. Thus a negative correlation existed between number of annual dental check-ups and number of untreated caries lesions found in cross-sectional examination; a positive correlation existed between frequency of check-ups and fillings found cross-sectionally. No clear correlation existed between regularity of annual dental check-ups and past caries experience (dmft).