Despite advancements in oral health care for young children, a significant number of six-year-olds in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern continue to face dental challenges. According to recent data from AOK Nordost, which reviewed the dental records of children insured under their plan before the school year commenced, one in four six-year-olds suffered from tooth decay in the past year.
Decrease in Dental Fillings Among New School Starters
In 2019, 31% of six-year-olds insured by AOK in the region required at least one dental filling. By 2023, this percentage had decreased to 25%. AOK attributes this 6% reduction to enhanced dental health initiatives in kindergartens and increased frequency of dental check-ups.
Following a law change in 2019, children under six years old gained greater access to free dental check-ups. While AOK Nordost observed an increase in the number of children utilizing these services, a significant portion still did not take advantage of them. In 2023, only 45% of AOK’s insured children under school age had undergone a dental check-up.
Call for Mandatory Dental Hygiene in Kindergartens
Tooth brushing after lunch has become a routine practice in many kindergartens across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. AOK Nordost is now advocating for this practice to be made mandatory in all kindergartens throughout the region.
Even with the reduction in the number of dental fillings among six-year-olds, as reported by AOK Nordost, the data highlights that a quarter of these children still experienced tooth decay in the last year. This persistence in dental health issues, despite the introduction of more accessible dental check-ups, underscores the need for continued and perhaps more rigorous preventive measures.
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