The responsiveness of the health system to MIH in children aged 6–8 years: The case of Ardabil Province (A short communication)

Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is common in regions where dental caries is controlled but requires specialized care. Therefore, a specific structure must be defined for the maintenance and care of affected teeth within health systems. Methods: The following steps were undertaken to investigate MIH: (i) launching an MIH registry and care system in the Ardabil University of Medical Science, (ii) making an agreement with the Department of Education to provide screening and health education services, as well as preventive services, to children with MIH and their parents, (iii) training people involved in providing education, care, and prevention services for MIH teeth and treating them (during the screening examinations by the trained personnel; the screening assessments were based on a modified table, which was developed at the start of the practical training program for health personnel), (iv) launching a province-wide campaign of "Do I have chalky teeth?" to raise the community’s awareness to pursue the care required by the children with MIH, (v) equipping healthcare centers to provide services required for the treatment of teeth with MIH; (vi) providing services to all children diagnosed with MIH, registering the services in an electronic system, and proposing the initial treatment plan by the MIH Lesion Treatment Commission to the healthcare networks based on the images sent for each child, and (vii) monitoring and evaluating the program. Results: A total of 38,000 children aged 6–8 years in the first and second grades were screened for MIH lesions. Subsequently, they received treatment and preventive services, and the results were registered in an electronic system. The prevalence of lesions was 2.3%, and 52% of affected children were referred to state-run centers for services. Conclusion: The registry system with predefined services proved to be an effective solution for the healthcare system to preserve teeth affected by MIH.