Caries Prevalence in the Primary and Permanent Dentition of Rural And Urban Children in the Municipality of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate dental health status and caries prevalence in six-year and 12-year-olds in urban and rural populations in Banja Luka, and to determine possible risk factors for the formation and development of dental caries in the post-war and transition period. Methods: The study population comprised a random sample from two age groups�six-year-olds (n=372) and 12-year-olds (n=495)�from the rural and urban region of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dental examinations were performed in daylight and using dental mirror and probe using the World Health Organization 1997 methodology. All the 12-year-old children completed a questionnaire. The parents of the sixyear- olds completed the questionnaire for them. It included questions on their sociodemography, use of dental services, oral hygiene habits and dietary habits. DMFT/dmft were calculated for each child and statistically analysed. Statistical significance of the data was determined using the chi-square test. Results: The results showed that the mean DMFT was higher in rural six-year-old boys and girls�1.26(�0.16) and 1.34(�0.19), respectively�than in urban ones�0.68(�0.07) and 0.66(�0.06), respectively). At age 12 years, the mean DMFT for boys was 5.49(�0.61) from rural areas and 4.29(�0.35) from urban areas and for girls 5.72(�0.55) and 4.98 (�0.39), respectively. Data from the questionnaires showed statistically significant differences regarding dental visits. It was found that there were insufficient dental services and a very high frequency of sugar intake. Conclusion: The present results confirmed high caries prevalence in all the groups that were examined, with a higher level among children from rural areas. It is essential to implement a longterm oral health education programme in Banja Luka.