Dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina.
OBJECTIVE
To present the prevalence of dental caries in postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH).


METHODS
A survey focused on dmft and DMFT indices was carried out in four cantons of the Federation of BH in 1997. The dental health of 6- and 12-year-olds was assessed in random samples (n = 238 and 318, respectively). DMFT index in adult population was assessed in clients coming to dental offices in the same area (35-44-year-olds; n = 401). All the subjects were clinically investigated.


RESULTS
During the 1991-95 war, all four cantons were affected by the migration of population. The population per dentist ratio considerably increased in three cantons. In 6-year-olds, the average dmft (+/-SD) was 4.9 +/- 4.0, and 86% of the children were affected with dental caries. The average DMFT of 12-year-olds was 6.2 +/- 3.9. On the average, 94% of the 12-year-olds were affected with dental caries. Mean DMFT of adult clients was 15.1 +/- 7.0. Almost every adult (98%) was affected with dental caries.


CONCLUSIONS
The dental status in postwar BH is rather poor and the mean DMFT in all investigated age groups may be considered high. The detrimental effect of 1991-95 war on social conditions and the health care system should be considered in explaining such poor dental health. Despite the limitations, the presented data may be used to assess the treatment needs, assure the visibility for dental issues in BH, and help the west European countries to plan dental services for refugees from BH.
Ivanković
Ante
A
Mostar University Hospital, Kardinala Stepinca bb, 36000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ante.ivankovic@tel.net.ba
Lukić
Ivan Kresimir
IK
Ivanković
Zorana
Z
Radić
Ankica
A
Vukić
Iljo
I
Simić
Ankica
A
D000328:Adult; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012924:Social Conditions; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D014857:Warfare