Prevalence of periodontal diseases in children under 6 years old in the Republic of Tatarstan: impact of age and family structure

Abstract

Relevance. This article addresses the prevalence of periodontal diseases in infants and preschool-aged children, considering factors such as the child's age and family structure within the region of the Republic of Tatarstan. Periodontal diseases, in conjunction with dental caries and dental abnormalities, represent the most frequently observed oral health conditions among children and adolescents.Materials and methods. The research involved 2429 families and 2556 preschool-aged children representing diverse family structures within Kazan, Arsk, and Pestrechinsky districts in the Republic of Tatarstan. During the survey, five primary family classifications emerged: complete, incomplete, extended, reconstituted, and foster families. The research methodology involved conducting interviews with parents, close relatives, or guardians, coupled with comprehensive examinations of the children, documenting both systemic disease and general health information using specifically tailored charts. Data analysis included determining mean values (M), mean error of the score (m), and Student's t-test criterion (t). Significance among group disparities was established at a probability of error less than 5% (p < 0.05). The gathered data underwent interpretation, considering both family structure and the spectrum of periodontal diseases.Results. Periodontal diseases were found to affect children from foster and incomplete families most significantly, with prevalence rates exceeding 90% in certain age groups. Children from complete and extended families exhibited lower prevalence rates of periodontal diseases, at 9.8% and 22.2%, respectively. Notably, within all age brackets, the highest occurrence of periodontal diseases was observed among children aged 4.6-6 years, constituting 57.0% of cases. Infants under one year old displayed the lowest susceptibility, with only 16.3% affected. Upon analyzing disease prevalence among children in the Republic of Tatarstan, a significant disparity emerged: children residing in rural areas demonstrated a higher susceptibility to periodontal diseases in comparison to their urban counterparts.Conclusion. The findings reveal a clear correlation between a child's family structure and the occurrence of periodontal diseases. Establishing the family structure and implementing tailored preventive measures specific to periodontal diseases, while considering both the child's family structure and age, plays a significant role in averting the onset and progression of this condition.