Barzilai University Medical Center

97 Research Day 2020 Barzilai University Medical Center 70 DENTAL HEALTH OF 12-YEAR-OLDS IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL, 2014 - 2018 Natapov L 1 , Pikovsky V 2 , Dekel D 3 , Zusman SP 4 1 Dental Services dep., Min. of Health LENA.NATAPOV@MOH.GOV.IL 2 Ashkelon District Health Office vadimp@bmc.gov.il 3 South District Health Office dan.dekel@bsh.health.gov.il 4 Dental Health Division, Min. of Health SHLOMO.ZUSMAN@MOH.GOV.IL Background Dental caries is a most prevalent chronic disease among children, especially in low SES communities. In 2010, dental care for children up to age 8 years was included into National Health Insurance Law’s basket of services. Eligibility age gradually extended to 18 in 2019. Fluoride in concentrations of 0.7-1.0 mg/l in drinking water proved to reduce dental caries and improve dental health. In August 2014 water fluoridation in Israel was stopped and fluoride concentrations in pipe water source declined to almost 0. Aim To assess the change of caries experience among 12 y.o. in Southern Israel between 2014 and 2018. Methods About 300 12-year-old schoolchildren were surveyed yearly between 2014 and 2018 in 5 communities (3 Jewish and 2 Bedouin). Caries experience was recorded according to WHO protocol, DMFT index (D- decayed, F- Filled, M- missing teeth due to caries) and caries prevalence were calculated. Results Total DMFT increased from 1.17 to 1.33. In the Jewish communities, DMFT index increased from 0.81 to 0.89; caries prevalence remained the same (36.7% to 36%.), while the F (filled) component increased from 0.37 to 0.44. The same time in the Bedouin communities, DMFT increased from 1.73 to 1.96 and caries prevalence from 60.7% to 66%, while the F component went up from 0.44 to 1.02. Conclusions Water fluoridation cessation might be related to caries prevalence increase, especially in low SES communities. Dental care reform lead to more treated teeth - F component (treated caries) went up since the survey started.