DENTAL CONDITIONS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN (ONE TO SIX YEARS OF AGE) IN SZEGED, HUNGARY

¹ Department of Stomatology, University Medical School, Szeged, Hungary

The prevalence of caries in the deciduous teeth of 2,699 children of both sexes between 2 and 7 years of age, living in Szeged, Hungary, was investigated. No difference was found in the prevalence of caries between the sexes. The df count is 0.15 per cent at 2 years, and 4.85 per cent at 4 years. In the deciduous dentition, caries starts prior to the first birthday, by circular decay of the anterior teeth. In regard to the caries attack rate, great importance is to be attributed to the fourth year of life, which we have labeled "the critical year." Stress must be laid upon prophylaxis, in combating caries of the deciduous dentition, rather than on therapeutic measures.