[EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DENTAL CARIES, DENTAL STATUS AND CORRECTION PROSPECTS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ADJARA REGION KOBULETI AND KHELVACHAURI MUNICIPALITIES].

The epidemiological research was conducted among school children of 6-7, 12, 15 ages (According to the WHO nomenclature) in the municipalities of Kobuleti and Khelvachauri of Ajara region in order to study the spread of major dental diseases and determine further prophylactic measures. The research involved 246 children, of whom 129 were residents of Kobuleti and 117 residents of Khelvachauri. Studies have shown that in all age groups the level of caries distribution is high; the median intensity index is also high in all age groups compared to the median indexes established for residents of Georgia. A particularly difficult situation was observed when reviewing the components of the DMFT structure. The number of teeth damaged by caries was prevailing in all age groups and the number of filled teeth was insignificant. The study of the hygiene skills of the research target group revealed a low sanitary culture. Consequently, in order to improve the dental status in the target group of the research, the following was determined: 1. Need to increase the scope and quality of dental care; 2. Necessity of implementing sanitary-educational works for increasing sanitary culture and the motivation of oral hygiene.