PROBLEM OF CARIES IN PRIMARY TEETH AT CHILDREN (LITERATURE REVIEW)

The aim of the study is to analyze literature sources on the prevalence of caries in primary teeth among children worldwide, the factors leading to the development of this pathology, and the possibilities for its prevention. The search for articles and scientific publications published between 2016 and 2024 was conducted by the authors in the Scopus and Web of Science databases using the keywords "caries," "primary teeth," and "children." Caries in primary teeth remains one of the most significant problems among preschool children both globally and in Ukraine, due to the multifaceted nature of its etiological and pathogenetic factors. Due to the specific morphology of primary teeth, which have thinner layers of enamel and dentin, as well as proportionally larger pulp chambers, caries affects the pulp earlier, causing significant pain in young children. Thus, early childhood caries (ECC) is highly prevalent but often overlooked. Data from the WHO demonstrate a critical prevalence of caries in various countries, ranging from 80% to 98%. The development of caries can begin shortly after the eruption of primary teeth. It has been found that 12-15% of infants experience caries in their first year of life, and by the second year, this figure doubles. By the third year of life, caries is detected in every second child. Overall, the prevalence of caries among 6-7year-old patients in Ukraine ranges from 65.8% to 97.7%, with the intensity of carious lesions ranging from 2.3 to 7.1. There is no universally accepted definition of early childhood caries (ECC) or standardized methods for examining ECC that would allow for the comparison of scientific studies. The basic methods of the World Health Organization are the most frequently used clinical criteria for such research. Given that carious lesions in primary teeth are the best predictive factor for the risk of caries in permanent teeth, the emphasis on promoting preventive programs should be directed at children long before they reach school age. Ukrainian researchers note that the prevention of dental diseases, especially among children, is an economically effective direction for the development of dental public health. This is supported by state preventive programs in certain European countries.