Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Early childhood caries - risk factors and preventive strategies - a Baltic perspective

Sandra Berzina, Ruta Care, Annerose Borutta, Susanne Keist

The Baltic countries are Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, which in 2004 joined the European Union. Till regaining of independence dental care in the Baltic countries was free of charge to all population. Together with changes in the social order in all three Baltic countries situation in the area of oral health care changed as well. The dental care and preventive programmes which was formerly provided at schools, kindergartens and specialized dental clinics ceased to exist. In Latvia dental caries is a problem of whole population and is relevant to all age groups. Social risk factors