Dental health status in 7-year-old children: a basis for mineralizing therapy.

Initial dental health status of permanent teeth among 584 children aged seven years selected for clinical trial with mineralizing agent, Remodent in Varkaus (Finland) and in Moscow (U.S.S.R.) was described and analyzed. These results were compared systematically with those reported previously for the same age groups from the different data. The similarity in patterns of occurrence of EFD lesions and caries and differences in their prevalences between children in the two ethnic groups remained the same. Differences in prevalence of EFD lesions cannot be explained as due to the influence of local branches of Public Dental Health systems (influence on oral hygiene habits and use of fluorides). Differences in prevalence of caries may be explained as being due to the influence of local branches of Public Dental Health systems (use of sealants). The cariogenic situation, measured as a number of EFD lesions, and the activity of these lesions on the smooth surfaces of permanent teeth also remained constant over time. This indicates a need for active caries prevention among children in both ethnic groups.