Effects of graded preventive measures on dental caries prevention in young children susceptible to caries

To investigate the effects of graded preventive measures in managing dental caries among young children. A total of 319 children from three consecutive terms in the same grade enrolled in a public kindergarten (October 2019 to July 2021) were selected as the observation group. Oral health examinations were conducted biannually. Based on caries susceptibility test results, children were categorized into low risk (0-0.5 scores), moderate risk (1.0-1.5 scores), and high risk (2.0-3.0 scores). Preventive measures included: Low-risk group: Maintaining oral hygiene and semi-annual fluoride application. Moderate-risk group: Fluoride application every 3 months and enhanced health education. High-risk group: Weekly fluoride applications for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by monthly fluoride applications. Another 322 children from three similar classes in a comparable kindergarten were assigned as the control group, receiving fluoride applications every 6 months. The following were compared between the two groups: caries susceptibility test results, caries incidence, soft mucinous deposit detection rates, caries indicators, and changes in oral hygiene habits. After 3 years of intervention, the proportion of low-risk children in the observation group significantly increased, while moderate- and high-risk proportions decreased compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Caries incidence and soft mucinous deposit detection rates in the observation group were significantly lower at 1, 2, and 3 years post-intervention than in the control group (all P < 0.05). Key caries indicators-including decayed teeth (dt), missing teeth (mt), filled teeth (ft), decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft), decayed surfaces (ds), missing surfaces (ms), filled surfaces (fs), and decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs)-were significantly better in the observation group after 3 years (all P < 0.05). The observation group also showed significant improvements in oral hygiene habits (use of fluoride toothpaste, brushing frequency, brushing duration, sugary food intake frequency, food intake before sleep, gargling after meals, and oral examination intervals) compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Graded preventive measures effectively reduce dental caries risk, incidence, and soft mucinous deposits in young caries-susceptible children while promoting better oral hygiene habits. These measures are highly recommended for clinical application.