Prevalence of dental caries and demands for services among Israeli kibbutz youth

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assemble information regarding caries prevalence among adolescent residents of kibbutzim in Israel. A total of 465 teenagers in 10 kibbutzim were examined for dental caries experience. The DMFT figures derived in the study were almost double the values recorded for a comparable kibbutz age group in the late 60's. Mean DMFT values were found to increase with age. The mean number of decayed teeth (D) showed a similar distribution. The proportion of teenagers free of caries was 1.5% and only 2.3% did not require any treatment. Despite the overwhelming need for dental care noted among kibbutz youth, only 21.6% were receiving care of their dental needs. Since physical blocks to access to dental care are almost non-existent in the kibbutz, it was suggested that the reason for the high rates of unmet needs, could, at least partially, be attributed to fear of pain and anxiety about the treatment.