Evaluation of the Changes in Children Oral Care Programme

Objectives: To evaluate the changes and their causes in the Children Dental Preventive Programme between 1998 and 2005. Methods: In 1998 in Euskadi, all children (162.213) between the ages of 7-15 years were covered by the programme and 70% of the population had fluoridated water. In 2005, 145.000 children were covered by the programme. Results: In 1998 the programme was used by 62,1% and in 2005 by 64,5%.The DMFT index at 12 years of age was 1,05 in 1998 and 0.90 in 2005. In Spain 1,26. The % of children without tooth decay at 7 years of age was in 1998: 94%, in 2005: 95%. At 12 years old in 1998: 57%, in 2005: 70%, at 14 years old in 1998: 41%, in 2005: 55%. The average cost in 1998 was 32,66 € and in 2005: 36,95 €. The most important change took place in the type of provider, in 1998: 13.42% was taken care of by the public sector and in 2005: 6.74%. Whereas the private sector took care of in 1998: 48.72% and in 2005: 57.72%. The general tendency until the 2015 R² was 0.487; for the public sector 0.630 and for the private 0,853. Discussion: The prevalence of tooth decay continues falling in all age groups becoming stabilized at about the 14 years of age. The tendency to use of the public sector is decreasing. Conclusions:The participation in the program is stabilizing; the percentage of tooth decay is decreasing and the public sector is being used mainly by emigrants.