EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES OF 4-6 YEARS OLD CHILDREN IN ERZURUM

Purpose: early childhood caries is the most widespread childhood disease that associated with serious health problems and negatively affects the community, health care systems, and families. the purpose of the present study is to examine oral health care of 4-6 years old children and to determine early childhood caries, caries frequency. material and methods: intra-oral examination was progressed in 202 children (4-6 years old) of a preschool in erzurum, which includes different socioeconomic status of families’ children. results: examination results indicated that dmf-t index, caries frequency, and restorative index for girls were 3.2±3,78, 62, and 2.8; and for boys were 4±3,65, 78.2, and 6.7, respectively. also, number of lost primary teeth per 100 children, average defs, and defs index values were 0.76, 6.31±8,66, and 7.3, respectively. according to the chi-square analysis of age groups, only restorative index and index of treatment need had statistically significant difference (p<0.001) conclusion: it is believed by the authors that the brushing habit should be gained in preschool to provide good oral hygiene in children.