DETERMINATION AND COMPARISON OF CARIES DISEASE PREVALENCE AMONG PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

The prevalence of dental caries among young children is one of the most pressing issues in modern dentistry. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth among preschool children is 73.0%, and the average intensity of dental caries in young children is 4.76. In Uzbekistan, 65-70% of children suffer from early childhood caries, with some regions reporting figures as high as 80-90%. Studies indicate that the primary causes of dental caries in children include improper nutrition, hypo- and avitaminosis, and poor oral hygiene. Environmental factors also play a significant role in the spread of caries among children, particularly in the Southern Aral Sea region, where air pollution, drinking water quality, and a severe deficiency of essential microelements (fluoride, iodine) in water have a negative impact.