海南省12岁儿童龋病和氟牙症的流行病学抽样调查

目的：了解海南省城乡12岁年龄组人群恒牙龋病及氟牙症的患病状况,为海南省口腔卫生保健工作提供科学依据。方法：采用多阶段分层等容量随机抽样的方法,抽取海南省12岁城乡常住人口777人,按照《第3次全国口腔健康流行病学调查方案》中临床龋病和氟牙症的检查方法和标准,检查全口恒牙龋病和氟牙症的患病状况。结果：海南省12岁年龄组恒牙患龋率和龋均分别为49.9%和1.1。农村和城市地区的患龋率分别为49.4%和50.3%,城乡之间的差异无统计学意义;男性和女性的患龋率分别为45.3%和55%,具有统计学差异（P〈0.05）。氟牙症患病率为3.6%,氟牙症指数（FCI）为0.09。结论：海南省12岁年龄组人群患龋率和龋均较高,氟牙症患病率和氟牙症指数处于较低水平。海南省应加强口腔预防保健工作。     

辽宁省12～15岁人群恒牙患龋情况抽样调查报告（2015—2016年）

目的　了解辽宁省12～15岁人群恒牙龋病状况,为辽宁省口腔健康保健工作及相关研究提供数据支持。方法　采用多阶段分层等容量随机抽样的方法,抽取辽宁省12、13、14、15岁城乡常住人口共3836人。按照第四次全国口腔健康流行病学调查方案的牙列检查方法和标准,使用社区牙周指数（CPI）探针检查全口恒牙冠龋患情况。计算患龋率、龋均、充填率、患龋牙位及窝沟封闭情况,并比较存在的差异。结果　辽宁省12、13、14和15岁人群患龋率分别为 53.2%、49.7%、53.7%和 56.6%,12岁年龄组与14岁年龄组差异无统计学意义,其余各年龄组间差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）; 龋均分别为1.45、1.56、1.67 和 1.85,随着年龄增加而增加,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;患龋率和龋均两项指标城乡间比较,农村高于城市,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;不同性别间比较,女性高于男性,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。与2005年第三次全国口腔健康流行病学调查结果相比,12岁人群患龋率和龋均均升高。结论　辽宁省 12～15 岁人群患龋率和龋均高于全国平均水平,农村高于城市,女性高于男性,需进一步加强相关人群的口腔预防保健措施。     

四川省12岁儿童口腔健康状况调查报告

目的调查四川省12岁儿童口腔健康现状,监测龋病和牙周疾病患病趋势,为四川省口腔卫生保健规划和决策提供信息和依据。方法按照《第三次全国口腔健康流行病学抽样调查方案》,采用多阶段分层等容量随机抽样的方法,抽取四川省12岁城乡儿童常住人口720人,男女各半,检查恒牙龋和牙周情况。数据采用SPSS13.0软件统计。结果12岁年龄组儿童龋均0.5,患龋率25.7%。龋补充填比F/(D F)6.7%,城市高于农村(P<0.01)。窝沟封闭率0.7%,农村为0。显著性龋均指数1.47,73.40%的恒牙龋分布于12.74%的儿童中。牙龈出血检出率76.3%,牙石检出率72.0%,人均7.5颗牙齿有牙龈出血,9.9颗牙齿有牙石。农村均高于城市(P<0.01)。结论调查人群患龋率较低,但龋病预防与治疗情况差,龋病主要集中在少数高危儿童;农村儿童牙周状况差,农村口腔保健工作亟待加强。口腔卫生保健工作应趋向区域性、合理性、系统性。     

江苏省12～15岁中学生龋病流行现状及影响因素分析

目的了解江苏省12～15岁中学生龋病流行现状及相关影响因素,为进一步开展中学生口腔保健工作提供可靠依据。方法参照WHO《口腔健康调查基本方法》(第五版),采用分层多阶段等容量随机抽样的方法,在江苏省12～15岁中学生中抽取3 914名受检者,其中12岁组978人、13岁组986人、14岁组978人、15岁组972人。检查冠龋情况并进行问卷调查,采用非参数检验分析龋均,采用卡方检验分析患龋率、充填率及窝沟封闭率,采用二元Logistic回归分析恒牙患龋的影响因素。结果 12～15岁年龄组恒牙患龋率、龋均分别为34.98%、0.69;患龋率、龋均女性均高于男性且具有明显的统计学差异(P<0.001); 12～15岁中学生龋齿充填率仅为17.53%,其中农村女性高于男性(P=0.039);恒牙患龋率最高的牙位是第一恒磨牙;居住地区、性别、食用甜食频率为恒牙龋病发生的危险因素。结论江苏省中学生的患龋情况不容乐观,应重点针对高危人群进行龋病防治,控制患龋危险因素,并加强口腔健康教育,落实口腔公共卫生措施。     

青海省人群龋病流行病学抽样调查分析

目的了解青海省人群患龋状况及龋病发病的基线资料,为口腔卫生保健工作提供依据。方法根据第3次全国口腔健康流行病学抽样调查方案,首次对青海省5、12、35～44和65～74岁4个年龄组人群的患龋状况进行流行病学抽样调查。采用SPSS13.0软件对数据进行统计分析,以患龋率、龋均和龋充填率作为统计指标。结果5岁年龄组乳牙患龋率和龋均分别为71.63%和3.30。12岁年龄组恒牙冠龋患龋率和龋均分别为22.63%和0.40。35～44岁年龄组恒牙冠龋患龋率和龋均分别为64.47%和2.06。65～74岁年龄组恒牙冠龋患龋率和龋均分别为73.89%和3.08。4个年龄组龋充填率分别为1.85%、2.53%、8.00%和3.47%。结论青海省人群龋病状况不容乐观,龋齿充填率很低,应加强口腔健康教育,采取切实有效的措施,才能降低患龋率,提高龋齿的充填率。     

2005年北京市城、乡12岁人群口腔健康流行病学抽样调查

目的了解北京市12岁年龄组城乡人群恒牙龋病、牙周健康及氟牙症状况,为北京市口腔卫生保健工作提供信息支持。方法采用多阶段分层等容量随机抽样的方法,抽取北京市12岁城乡常住人口792人,男女各半。按照《第三次全国口腔健康流行病学抽样调查方案》口腔健康检查中牙列状况检查方法和标准,使用CPI探针检查全口恒牙牙冠龋病、牙周健康状况及氟牙症。数据采用SPSS11.5软件统计。结果12岁组恒牙患龋率26.39%,龋均0.47;患龋率和龋均城、乡之间无显著性差异。城市男性低于女性;农村男、女之间无显著性差异。牙龈出血检出率62.88%,人均2.77颗;牙石检出率58.59%,人均3.13颗。氟牙症患病率3.41%,社区氟牙症指数为0.10。结论北京市12岁年龄组人群患龋率及龋均较低,但农村学生的龋齿充填率偏低;牙龈出血及牙石检出率城市学生均高于农村学生;氟牙症患病率和社区氟牙症指数属于正常范围。     

ɽ��ʡ12����������Ⱥ����ȣ�������������

目的    了解山东省12岁年龄组人群恒牙龋病情况,为山东省牙病防治工作提供依据。方法    2005年9 —12月山东省牙病防治指导组根据经济发展情况选择山东省有代表性的市和县,即济南市市中区、威海市环翠区、济宁市兖州市、章丘市、平原县、费县,每个市（县）抽取3个乡镇。采用多阶段分层等容量随机抽样方法选择12岁年龄组的青少年,共781人。采用第三次全国口腔健康流行病学调查龋病调查标准,调查恒牙龋病情况。结果    山东省12岁年龄组人群恒牙患龋率为33.4 %,龋均0.55,龋齿充填率15.9 %,窝沟封闭率3.8 %,含氟牙膏使用率29.9 %。女性患龋率和龋均（38.0 %,0.63）均明显高于男性（28.8 %,0.46）（P < 0.05）,城乡间无明显差别;城市12岁年龄组人群充填率、窝沟封闭率及含氟牙膏使用率高于农村,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;山东省患龋率、龋齿充填率和窝沟封闭率均明显高于全国水平（P < 0.05）,龋均没有明显差别。结论    山东省12岁年龄组人群牙病防治工作10年来取得了一定成效,但牙病的防治措施仍有待进一步加强,尤其是农村地区。     

吉林省12岁儿童龋病和牙周健康状况调查分析

目的：了解吉林省12岁儿童人群恒牙龋病和牙周病患病状况及分布,为口腔疾病防治策略提供依据。方法：根据全国第三次口腔健康流行病学调查的方法,对吉林省城乡788名12岁儿童的龋病和牙周病进行了调查。采用SPSS13．0软件包进行数据的统计分析,以龋均、患龋率和牙石、牙龈出血检出率作为统计指标,两样本均数的比较使用t检验,率的比较使用X2检验。结果：12岁儿童的恒牙患龋率43．65％,龋均为1．07,龋均和患龋率男女之间均有高度显著性差异（P〈0．01）,农村地区患龋率高于城市地区,但经检验差异无显著性意义,吉林省12儿童的显著性龋均指数为2．89;牙龈出血检出率为53．46％,牙结石检出率和平均检出区段数为76．40％和1．94。牙龈出血检出率和牙结石检出率城乡之间均有高度显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论：12岁年龄组儿童患龋较高,牙周健康状况不良,应加强口腔卫生服务,以促进该人群口腔健康水平。     

重庆市4~17岁孤儿口腔健康现状调查分析

目的 了解重庆市4~17岁孤儿口腔健康现状及其流行趋势,为制定孤儿口腔保健计划提供依据。方法 根据第三次全国口腔健康流行病学抽样调查方案,抽取重庆市江北区某儿童福利院孤儿为调查对象,对该福利院317名孤儿进行口腔健康检查,记录龋齿、牙龈出血和牙结石情况。采用SPSS 17.0软件对数据进行统计分析。结果 重庆市岁孤儿乳牙和恒牙的患龋率及龋均分别为50.00%、1.94±2.81和39.53%、0.90±1.38,男女之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。恒牙患龋率 12岁及以下年龄组与12岁以上年龄组间有统计学差异（P<0.05）。第一恒磨牙患龋率为35.25%,女性高于男性（P<0.05）。龋齿充填率及第一恒磨牙窝沟封闭率均为0.00%。牙龈出血检出率为78.22%,牙结石检出率为67.66%。结论 重庆市4~17岁孤儿口腔健康现状不佳,牙科服务利用率极低,在今后的工作中,应将这部分人群纳入口腔健康预防保健的重点人群之列。     

2008年广州市儿童恒牙龋病流行病学调查报告

目的了解广州市6～12岁儿童的恒牙患龋状况,初步分析影响恒牙龋病发生的因素,提出对策,并为监测龋病的发病趋势提供数据。方法抽样调查广州市6、9、12岁城乡人群的常住儿童共4320人,按照第三次全国口腔健康流行病学调查方法和标准,检查牙冠部患龋情况,进行统计学分析。结果12岁儿童恒牙患龋率为29.44%,城市为23.43%,农村为47.50%,城乡比较差异有统计学意义;龋均为0.57,城市为0.43,农村为0.98,城乡比较差异有统计学意义。恒牙充填率为14.95%,其中城市为20.86%,农村为7.41%。6、9岁儿童患龋率分别为2.85%、17.29%;龋均分别为0.04、0.29。随着年龄增长,儿童恒牙患龋率增加、龋均增加,其上升幅度大。结论从12岁儿童龋均判断,广州市儿童龋病状况处于＂很低＂等级水平。患龋水平达到《中国口腔卫生保健工作规划（2004-2010年）》目标要求。龋病严重程度城乡差异明显,农村比较严重。首次用国家标准获得6、9岁儿童龋病情况,随着年龄增长儿童恒牙患龋率增加,龋均增加。     

Oral health behaviour of children and adults in urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Africa

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of dental knowledge and attitudes among 12 year-old children and 35-44 year-olds in Burkina Faso; to evaluate the pattern of oral health behaviour among these cohorts in relation to location, gender and social characteristics and; to evaluate the relative effect of social-behavioural risk factors on caries experience. DESIGN: Across sectional study including urban and rural subgroups of population. Sample and methods: Multistage cluster sampling of households in urban areas; in rural areas random samples of participants were based on the recent population census. The final study population covered two age groups: 12 years (n = 505) and 35-44 years (n = 493). RESULTS: For both children and adults, levels of oral health knowledge, attitudes and self-care were low; 36% of 12-year-olds and 57% of 35-44-year-olds carried out toothcleaning on a daily basis. Pain and discomfort from teeth were common while dental visits were infrequent. Tooth cleaning was mostly performed by use of chewsticks. Use of toothpaste was rare, particularly fluoridated toothpaste was seldom; 9% of 12-year-olds and 18% of 35-44-year-olds reported use of fluoride toothpaste. Significant differences were found in oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices according to location and gender. At age 12, important factors of high caries experience were location (urban), and consumption of soft drinks and fresh fruits. In 35-44-year-olds, gender (female), high education level, dental visit and occupation (government employee) were the significant factors of high dental caries experience whereas adults using traditional chewing sticks had lower DMFT. CONCLUSIONS: Health authorities should strengthen the implementation of oral disease prevention and health promotion programmes rather than traditional curative care. Community-oriented essential care and affordable fluoride toothpaste should be encouraged.     

The second national survey of oral health status of children and adults in China

OBJECTIVES: To describe the oral health status of Chinese children and adults at national level in relation to location and province and to highlight changes in dental caries experience. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, oral epidemiological survey based on WHO methodology, clinical examinations. SETTING: National survey by National Committee for Oral Health. SUBJECTS: Representative samples of provinces, districts, townships; cluster sampling including subjects aged 5,12,15,18, 35-44 and 65-74. Each age group consisted of 23,452 participants, i.e. total of 140,712 individuals. RESULTS: At age 5, 76.6% were affected by dental caries and mean dmft was 4.5. Mean DMFT varied from 1.0 in 12-year-olds, 1.4 in 15-year-olds, 1.6 in 18-year-olds, 2.1 in 35-44-year-olds to 12.4 in 65-74-year-olds. In adults, caries experience was higher in females than in males. The effect of urbanisation on caries prevalence in children varied by province and age. Among adolescents and young adults caries levels were high in urban areas while caries experience was high for old-age people of rural areas. At national level, changes in dental caries prevalence of 12- and 15-year-olds were small. However, some provinces with extensive oral health programmes (e.g. Love Teeth Day) showed declining caries experience whereas provinces with limited preventive activities had increasing levels of caries. For all age groups, gingival bleeding and calculus were most frequent. Severe periodontal conditions were relatively rare. CONCLUSION: The systematic implementation of preventive oral care and community-oriented health programmes are needed for the continuous promotion of oral health in China.     

Oral health status of children and adults in urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Africa

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the oral health status of children and adults in rural and urban areas of Burkina Faso; to provide epidemiological data for planning and evaluation of oral health care programmes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey including different ethnic and socio-economic groups. SAMPLE AND METHODS: Multistage cluster sampling of households in urban areas and random samples of participants selected based on the recent population census in rural areas. The final study population covered four age groups: 6 years (n = 424), 12 years (n = 505), 18 years (n = 492) and 35-44 years (n = 493). Clinical oral health data collected according to WHO methodology and criteria. RESULTS: At age 6, 38% of children had caries, with prevalence higher in urban than rural areas. At age 12, the mean DMFT was 0.7 with prevalence significantly higher among urban than rural children. Mean DMFT was 1.9 in 18-year-olds and 6.3 in 35-44-year-olds and figures were higher for women than men. In adults, no differences in caries experience were found by location whereas the caries index was significantly affected by ethnic group and occupation. CPI score 2 (gingivitis and calculus) was dominant for all ages: 6 years (58%), 12 years (57%), 18 years (58%), 35-44 years (49%). In addition, 10% of 35-44-year-olds had CPI score 4. Rural participants had more severe periodontal scores than did urban individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Health authorities should strengthen the implementation of community-based oral disease prevention and health promotion programmes rather than traditional curative care.     

Dental caries in twelve- and fifteen-year-olds: results from the basic oral health survey in Haiti

OBJECTIVE: Reports on oral health investigations in Haiti are sparse. There are only three peer-reviewed published articles on oral health in Haiti. In order to construct a national dataset useful for public health planning, a representative dental caries survey of Haitian school attending children was conducted in 1999. METHODS: This survey was conducted using a modified version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Basic Oral Health Survey (BOHS) pathfinder method. Children ages 12 and 15 years old attending public or private schools in both rural and urban regions were targeted in seven of the nine geographic Departments of Haiti: each Department constituted a strata that was further stratified into the major urban center and one or more rural towns. Four trained examiners, calibrated to WHO caries criteria, conducted the survey RESULTS: Of the total 1,218 examined 12- and 15-year-olds, 31% of the 12-year-olds and 46% of the 15-year-olds had a DMFS of 1 or more, i.e., these percentages are the simple prevalence levels of dental caries for those age groups in Haiti. Mean DMFS scores were 1.01 (SE 0.09) and 2.52 (SE 0.02) for the 12- and 15-year-olds, respectively. No difference was observed between gender, while differences were found by geographical classification. Less than 1% of the children had any dental restorations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this investigation suggest that at the population level, permanent dentition caries in early adolescence is a minimal health problem, relative to dental caries in other neighboring Caribbean countries, as well as to other health conditions in Haiti. However, at the individual level, those children afflicted with decay are without dental services for all practical purposes.     

Oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of adults in China

OBJECTIVES: To describe oral health behaviour, illness behaviour, oral health knowledge and attitudes among 35-44 and 65-74-year-old Chinese; to analyse the oral health behaviour profile of the two age groups in relation to province and urbanisation, and to assess the relative effect of socio-behavioural risk factors on dental caries experience. METHODS: A total number of 4,398 35-44-year-olds and 4,399 65-74-year-olds were selected by multistage stratified cluster random sampling which involved 11 provinces in China. Data were collected by self-administered structured questionnaires and clinical examinations (WHO criteria). RESULTS: 32% of the 35-44-year-olds and 23% of the 65-74-year-olds brushed at least twice a day but only 5% used fluoridated toothpaste; 30% and 17% respectively performed 'Love-Teeth-Day' recommended methods of tooth brushing. A dental visit within the previous 12 months was reported by 25% of all participants and 6% had a dental check-up during the past two years. Nearly 15% of the subjects would visit a dentist if they experienced bleeding from gums; about 60% of the subjects paid no attention to signs of caries if there was no pain. Two thirds of the urban residents and one fifth of the rural participants had economic support for their dental treatment from a third party, either totally or partially. Significant variations in oral health practices were found according to urbanisation and province. At age 35-44 years 43% of participants had daily consumption of sweets against 28% at age 65-74 years. Dental caries experience was affected by urbanisation, gender, frequency, time spent on and method of tooth brushing. Knowledge of causes and prevention of dental diseases was low with somewhat negative attitudes to prevention observed. CONCLUSION: Systematic community-based oral health promotion should be strengthened and preventive-oriented oral health care systems are needed, including promotion of further self-care practices and the use of fluoridated toothpaste.     

Oral health status and oral health behaviour of urban and rural schoolchildren in Southern Thailand

AIM: To describe the level of oral disease in urban and rural schoolchildren in Southern Thailand; to analyse self-care practices and dental visiting habits of 12-year-olds, and to assess the effect of socio-behavioural factors on dental caries experience. DESIGN: A cross sectional study of 6- and 12-year-old children, urban and rural schools chosen at random from 19 districts of one province. SETTING: Suratthani Province, Southern Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,156 children of grade 1 (6 yrs) and 1,116 children of grade 6 (12yrs). METHODS: Clinical recordings of dental caries and periodontal CPI scores 0, 1 or 2 according to WHO; structured interviews of 12-year-olds (n=1,084) concerning oral health behaviour and attitudes. RESULTS: At age 6, 96.3% of children had caries and mean dmft was 8.1. In 12-year-olds, 70% had caries in permanent teeth and the level of DMFT was 2.4. Experience of pain during the previous 12 months was reported by 53% of 12-year-olds, 66% saw a dentist within the previous year and 24% reported that visits were due to troubles in teeth. Toothbrushing at least once a day was claimed by 88%. Significant numbers of the children reported having hidden sugar every day: soft drinks (24%), milk with sugar (34%), and tea with sugar (26%). Important predictors of high caries experience were dental visits, consumption of sweets, ethnic group (Muslim) and sex (girls) whereas lower risk was observed in children with positive oral health attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic health education may further improve the oral health of Thai children and the primary school provides a unique setting for such programmes.     

Oral health status and oral health behaviors in Chinese Children.

The objectives of the study were to describe the oral health status and treatment needs of the 5- to 6-year-old and 12-year-old children in Southern China; to describe the patterns of oral health behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes among the 12-year-olds; and to assess the effects of socio-behavioral factors on the 12-year-old children's dental caries experiences. The study sample was comprised of 1,587 5- to 6-year-old and 1,576 12-year-old urban and rural schoolchildren living in Guangdong Province. Three calibrated dentists clinically examined the children, and trained interviewers interviewed the 12-year-olds. Caries prevalence of the 5- to 6-year-old children was high (urban 78% vs. rural 86%); the mean dmft of the urban and rural children was 4.8 and 7.0, respectively. The caries prevalence and mean DMFT score of the 12-year-olds were 41% and 0.9 (urban) and 42% and 0.9 (rural). Only 2% of the 12-year-olds exhibited no calculus or gingival bleeding, while more than 70% had calculus. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for establishing caries-preventive activities for preschool children. The prevalence of caries among the 12-year-olds was not high, but their periodontal condition was unsatisfactory. Knowledge about gum bleeding and the use of fluoride was low. More oral health education activities should be organized, especially for the rural children.     

Coronal and root caries in Southern Chinese adults.

Southern China is the most prosperous part of China, but information useful for oral care planning is very limited. A large-scale epidemiological survey was conducted in 1996-97. The objectives of this report were to describe the coronal and root caries of the adult Southern Chinese and to analyze the influence of selected demographic and socio-economic factors on the disease pattern. A total sample of 1,573 35- to 44-year-olds and 1,515 65- to 74-year-olds from 8 urban and 8 rural survey sites in Guangdong Province participated in an oral health interview and underwent clinical examination. World Health Organization examination procedures and diagnostic criteria were used. The weighted mean DMFT scores of the middle-aged and the elderly subjects were 4.8 and 16.1, respectively. People living in rural areas had a higher DMFT score than those living in urban areas (4.9 vs. 4.3 in the 35- to 44-year-olds and 16.5 vs. 14.7 in the 65- to 74-year-olds). In both age groups, MT was the major component of the DMFT score. Analysis of covariance showed that women and those who were economically less well off had higher DMFT scores in both age groups. The weighted prevalence rates of decayed/filled roots were 12% and 37%, with a mean of 0.2 and 0.7 teeth affected, in the middle-aged and the elderly, respectively. In conclusion, socio-economic factors had a considerable effect on the dental caries status of adults in Southern China.     

Caries experience of 5-6-year-old and 12-13-year-old schoolchildren in central and western Nepal

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse the caries experience and caries prevalence in the deciduous dentition of 5-6-year-old schoolchildren and in the permanent dentition of 12-13-year-old schoolchildren in western and central Nepal. Design: Non-randomised cross-sectional surveys conducted by trained and calibrated examiners. SETTING: Surveys were conducted in private and government rural and urban schools at 10 sites along the Terai and the foothills in eight districts of western and central Nepal. SUBJECTS: A total of 2,177, 5-6-year-old and 3,323, 12-13-year-old schoolchildren from urban and rural areas were examined under WHO Pathfinder methodology. OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of caries and dental caries experience (dmft/DMFT). RESULTS: The caries prevalence and mean dmft score of 5-6-year-olds was 67% and 3.3 (urban 64% and 2.9; rural 78% and 4.0). The caries prevalence and mean DMFT score of 12-13-year-olds was 41% and 1.1 (urban 35% and 0.9; rural 54% and 1.5). The d/D-component constituted almost the entire dmft/DMFT index. CONCLUSION: The recorded prevalence of untreated dental caries in schoolchildren requires an appropriate oral health response based primarily on prevention and health promotion. Foremost in this regime would be the promotion and use of accessible and affordable fluoridated toothpaste.     

Evidence for dental caries decline among children in an East European country (Hungary)

In Central and Eastern Europe oral health systems are in transition due to the economic and political changes. The aim of the present study was to highlight the long-term trend in dental caries prevalence of Hungarian children. A WHO National Pathfinder Survey of oral health status was conducted in 1996 which included 6-year-olds (n = 900) and 12-year-olds (n = 900). Similar surveys were performed in 1985 (age 6-7, n = 895; age 12, n = 893) and in 1991 (age 5-6, n = 898; age 12, n = 898) and the surveys were based on the same sites and examination criteria. Clinical data were collected by trained dental examiners according to the WHO Basic Methods. In 1996, 73% of 5-6-year-olds and 84.5% of 12-year-olds were affected by dental caries. At age 5-6 the mean dmft was 4.5 and at age 12 the DMFT was 3.8. In both groups, the d/D-components were high (5-6 years: dt/dmft = 89%; 12 years: DT/DMFT = 45%). For children aged 5-6, the mean caries experience increased from 1991 (3.7 dmft) to 1996 (4.5 dmft) (P<0.01) whereas DMFT of 12-year-olds declined from 5.0 in 1985 and 4.3 in 1991 (P<0.01). The differences in caries experience by urbanization level were reduced over time. In 1996, 72% of 12-year-olds had gingival bleeding (CPI scores 1+2), and 23% had moderate/severe malocclusion. In conclusion, in order to meet the need for dental care in schoolchildren in Hungary health authorities are encouraged to revitalize the school dental services. Implementation of community-based health promotion is needed to control oral disease in Hungarian children.