- Enhanced oral health observed in school-aged youths
Six-year-olds in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as reported by AOK, are showing improved dental health compared to a few years ago. The number of children requiring dental fillings upon starting school has been decreasing, according to AOK.
Yet, one in four six-year-old children in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern suffered from tooth decay last year. This is based on data analysis conducted by AOK Nordost, which evaluated data from children insured with them before the beginning of the school year.
A Quarter of New School Starters Need Dental Fillings
In 2019, 31% of six-year-olds insured by AOK in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had at least one dental filling. By 2023, this figure had dropped to 25%. AOK attributed this 6% decrease to improved dental health prevention initiatives in kindergartens and frequent dental check-ups.
Since a law change in 2019, free dental check-ups have been more accessible to children up to six years old. AOK observed that more children have availed of this opportunity, but many still miss out. In 2023, only 45% of AOK's insured children under school age had had a dental check-up.
Dental Hygiene Mandatory in Kindergartens?
Now that tooth brushing is a regular routine in many Mecklenburg-Vorpommern kindergartens post-lunch, AOK advocates that tooth brushing become a compulsory practice in all kindergartens across the region.
Despite the significant decrease in dental fillings among six-year-olds in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as reported by AOK, AOK Nordost's data analysis reveals that one in four of these children still experienced tooth decay last year.
Regardless of AOK's attribution of the decrease in dental fillings to improved prevention initiatives and frequent check-ups, only 45% of AOK's insured children under school age had availed of the free dental check-ups made more accessible due to a law change in 2019. [AOK, AOK Nordost]
