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Objective. This study aims to assess the caries experience among first- and second-grade children in the elementary schools of southeastern Estonia. Materials and methods. A representative sample of 485 children was studied. The mean age of children in the first grade was 7.8 years (SD = 0.35) and in the second grade 8.8 years (0.38). The clinical examinations using ICDAS criteria were completed by four calibrated examiners. The inter- and intra-examiner consistency of the examiners was high (surface and tooth-based kappa >0.9). Results. The mean caries experience of dentinal caries lesions was 0.8 (D4-6MFT) and 1.6 (D4-6MFS) among the first graders and 1.1 (D4-6MFT) and 1.6 (D4-6MFS) among the second graders. The mean caries enamel lesions among the first graders was 1.6 (D1-3T) and 2.2 (D1-3S) and among the second graders 2.1 and 3.0, respectively. The most affected surfaces were the occlusal surfaces of the lower first molars. The prevalence of sealants was very low-only 2.4% of the first molars were sealed among the first graders and 3.9% among the second graders. There were no statistically significant differences in caries experience or in the provision of restorative treatment between the schools. Conclusions. Caries experience is high in southeastern Estonia. Preventive programs are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify which socioeconomic factors are affecting oral health-related behavior and to provide suggestions for improving the population's oral health.  Materials and methods: The survey includes population groups from age 35 and older from all 15 Estonian counties and major cities (n = 2,376). The study is based on data from a nationwide Estonian Adult Oral Health Survey questionnaire. In addition to analyzing eight aspects of oral health-related behavior and self-perceived oral health variables, the survey also includes participants' socio-economic and demographic characteristics. The study utilizes frequency tables (including cumulative distributions), means, correlations, and regression analysis as its methods., Results: The mean number of beneficial behaviors reported by the participant was 4.2 (SD 1.6). The value of the oral health-related behavior index (OHBI, the number of reported behaviors from the eight) is initially determined by the optimal timing between meals, abstinence from smoking, and the choice of drinking water or refraining from any intake between meals. Participants with higher OHBI tended to rate their self-perceived oral health better. Adherence to beneficial dental health-related behavior in Estonian adults is primarily influenced by gender, educational level, type of settlement, and household income level., Conclusions: In order to significantly improve oral health and related behaviors, it is imperative to integrate dental services into universal health coverage and deliver ongoing oral health education for adults.