The efficacy of Italian guidelines in promoting oral health in children and adolescents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 2015;
16:93-98. [PMID:
26147812]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the guidelines on oral health published by the Italian Health Ministry.
STUDY DESIGN
1239 patients (582 girls and 657 boys) with a mean age of 4.46 (SD 2.81) years were evaluated before application of the guidelines by paediatricians (T0) for the presence of caries, gingivitis, diseases of the oral mucosa, and malocclusion. Only patients aged 6 months, 3 years, 6 years, and 9 years at T0 were taken into consideration. All patients were reevaluated after application of the ministerial guidelines (T1).
METHODS
the study took place over a 3-year period. Enrolled patients referred to the outpatient clinics of three paediatricians of the Province of Genoa who strictly applied the ministerial guidelines.
STATISTICS
Chi square test analysis was performed to evaluate a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of caries, gingivitis and diseases of the oral mucosa.
RESULTS
After a 3-year follow-up collected data underlined a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of dental caries, gingivitis and oral mucosal diseases after implementation of the recommended ministerial guidelines. A statistically significant decrease of malocclusions was also evident in the elder patients (12 years old at T1).
CONCLUSION
The accurate implementation of the Guidelines is supported. Only collaboration and increased synergy between paedodontists and paediatricians can fulfill the objectives which were the reason for publishing the "National guidelines for the promotion of oral health and the prevention of oral diseases in developmental age".
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