Oral health status and treatment needs of 35-44-year old adults in Lebanon.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of a Lebanese adult population.


METHODS
An epidemiological survey of 401 Lebanese adults aged 35-44 years was carried out in 1996. It followed the WHO methodology in assessing the oral health status and treatment needs of adult populations. A structured questionnaire and a standardised oral health exam were used for the investigation.


RESULTS
Showed that the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was 16.3 and that 1.5 per cent of the sample had a DMFT score of zero, whereas, 55 per cent had a score of less than 4. Of the 401 subjects, 24 per cent had at least one bridge and 16 per cent had a removable prosthesis. Compared to other neighbouring countries, Lebanon ranked the highest in the DMFT index and its separate components. Close to 60 per cent of the sample was in need of operative treatment, 31 per cent needed tooth extraction and 60 per cent were in need of a crown or a bridge. Significant variations were observed in the oral health status as well as treatment needs of the sample when examining gender, socio-economic status, and place of residence differences.


CONCLUSIONS
This study can be used as a stepping stone in the direction of building the base of knowledge on oral health in Lebanon. The planning and implementation of any strategy for oral health status improvement is crucial, alongside the country's infrastructure development.
Doughan
B
B
doughan@destination.com.lb
Kassak
K
K
Bourgeois
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006285:Health Planning; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*