Oral health in Latvian 15-year-olds.
Oral hygiene, caries and periodontal conditions were assessed in a representative sample of 15-year-old Latvian schoolchildren, comprising 506 subjects. Caries, diagnosed on the cavity level, was detected in 97.6% of the population. The mean DMFT and DMFS were 8.1 and 14.1, respectively. Although 91% of the children had had restorative treatment, the D component accounted on average for 33% of the DMFS score. Visible dental plaque was found in 98.4% of the children; in a majority (88%) abundant plaque deposits were recorded. Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) was assessed by standard WHO methods. Deviation from periodontal health was observed in 90.7% of the children. Calculus was recorded in 26.1% and gingival pockets in 25.9% of the sample. Additionally, 38.7% of the children had gingival bleeding. The mean number of sextants with healthy periodontal conditions was 2.5. Calculus and pocketing averaged 0.6 and 0.4 sextants, respectively. Attachment loss, recorded in 11.7% of the subjects, did not exceed 3 mm. The results showed high caries prevalence, considerable need for treatment and virtual absence of oral hygiene.
Dept. of Pedodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
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Bjarnason
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Berzina
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Mackevica
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D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index