The current state of oral health and dental care system efficiency in twelve selected East European countries

Abstract

Objective: This investigation aims to highlight the often-overlooked landscape of oral care in East European countries by evaluating the dental status of their populations and the efficiency of their dental care systems. Method: The study employs the Dental Health Index (DHI), which measures the dental state of entire populations, allowing for quantifiable comparisons between differing countries and dental systems. The survey relies solely on existing epidemiological and various scientific data. Results: The findings reveal a wide range of results among the countries studied. On average, the oral health of the younger generation is satisfactory and has improved over the past two decades, with more significant progress observed in permanent teeth compared to deciduous teeth. However, the dental status of adults remains poor, with only a few signs of positive developments in the past decade. The most favourable DHIs are seen among Romanian and Serbian individuals, while Lithuanian and Bulgarian citizens exhibit a less favourable oral health status. Notably, the latter two countries have the highest dental density of those studied. In terms of benefit-cost reflections, Romania, Serbia and Poland perform best. Estonia and Lithuania appear to have untapped productivity resources. Conclusion: To enhance the overall oral health status of the population, the author advocates for a broader focus that extends the current prioritization of the young generation to include adults up to 35 years of age, as the period between 18 and 35 years significantly influences the future development of natural teeth. To implement effective measures for this reform, oral health policies must prioritize prevention and tooth retention. Suggestions are provided on how this could be achieved. An active, goal-oriented oral health policy is essential, for improving the currently unsatisfactory oral health status of adults. Without such efforts, the dental health of the elderly population is likely to deteriorate further.