BACKGROUND This article presents evaluation of prophylactic measures, preventing the development of caries in children. METHODS The study involved 50 pupils from a primary school in Zywiec in which is conducted a prophylactic programme by a local government "Prevention of caries in children and youth"--group P, and 51 pupils from village schools in which no such program--control group K. Prophylactic activities involved, among others, oral cavity checkup, instruction concerning hygiene, promotion of oral cavity health, sealing of I permanent molar teeth. Children's dentition was evaluated by means of frequency caries index, VI tooth sealing index, DMF/dmf (decayed, missing, filling for milk and permanent teeth) and SCI (significant caries index). RESULTS Sealing index of VI teeth was higher in group P than in group K (p < 0.001), whereas DMF index of VI teeth were lower in group P than in group K (p < 0.001). Frequency caries index, DMF and SCI index for permanent teeth, were lower in group P than in group K (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Children subjected to anticaries prophylaxis had healthier and better protected teeth in comparison with controls.