The present study demonstrates the state of the permanent dentition in contemporary Prague preschool children. The I-type of eruption predominates over the M-type in both sexes. Close to 89 per cent of girls and 92 per cent of boys have at least one permanent tooth at preschool age. When comparing the dental age according to Škaloud (1979) with their chronological age, the eruption of permanent teeth was in most of the children delayed, corresopnding least children in their dental age to their chronological age. The number of permanent teeth in the lower jaw (69 per cent) predominated over those in the upper jaw (about 31 per cent) in all investigated children. The number of teeth in the left part of the jaws prevails over that in the right part but not significantly. The most common permanent tooth in girls was the right I1, in boys the left I1. A statistically significant dependance was found between the number of permanent teeth in an individual and the Philippine measure (when the right hand reaches the left earlobe over the top of the head). The beginning of eruption of the permanent teeth and consequently their number in a child is connected with the general developmental status of an individual. It was not the aim of this study to follow-up the prevalence of dental caries in the children investigated. The general health status of the dentition in the children investigated was satisfactory. The majority of children had sound teeth without evident caries. According to child stomatologists the quality of children’s teeth deteriorates stepwise due to the fact that nowadays stomatologists do not undertake preventive investigations in kindergartens and schools as they used to do under centrally controlled health care. The responsibility for dental health of the children is at present completely in the hands of the parents. Many of them are not fully aware of it.

        Key words: permanent dentition, dental age, M-type of eruption, I-type of eruption, preschool children