Oral health of Rhodesia African first year student teachers

A basic oral health survey was carried out on a random sample of first year African student teachers attending four teachers' colleges in Rhodesia. The number examined and interviewed was 309. Methods and criteria used are those described in the second (1977) edition of the World Health Organization manual Oral health surveys - Basic methods. Prevalences of dental caries were 31.0% for the 142 male students and 59.5% for the 167 female students. The difference is statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Mean DMFTs were 0.74 for men and 2.02 for women. The prevalences of "intense gingivitis" were 52.8% for male students and 34.7% for female students. This difference also is significant (P less than 0.005). The major treatment requirements are for one-surface fillings and prophylaxis with oral hygiene instruction. Dental service utilization is low. Less than 10% of the sample had obtained dental care in the previous 12 months. The main reason for seeking care was pain. Self-assessments of oral health needs were not valid. The stated desire for fillings is greater than for extractions. A need has been demonstrated for dental health education aimed at the prevention of disease and the encouragement, use and demand for quality care services.