Dental caries prevalence of twelve year olds in Puerto Rico.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of dental caries amongst twelve-year old Puerto Ricans.


METHODS
Population-based, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Public and private schools in the 11 health regions of Puerto Rico.


METHODS
A probabilistic sample of 12-year old school attendees in Puerto Rico.


METHODS
One thousand four hundred and thirty-five subjects were evaluated following NIDCR criteria and methodology for DMFS and DMFT indicators from a population of approximately 70,000 12-year olds during April through December 1997.


RESULTS
The overall mean DMFS was 6.5 (SE 0.38) and ranged from 9.2 in the Central Region to 5.3 in the Metropolitan and West Regions. The mean DMFT was 3.8 (SE 0.18). The decayed component comprised 42% of the DMFS; caries prevalence for the population was 81%.


CONCLUSIONS
The mean DMFS for twelve year olds is higher than the mean DMFS of 4.2 to 4.7, reported for 12 to 17 years olds in the USA. Dental caries is a highly prevalent disease amongst 12-year olds in Puerto Rico.
Elías-Boneta
Augusto R
AR
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, School of Dentistry Research Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067, USA. aelias@rcm.upr.edu
Crespo Kebler
Kathleen
K
Gierbolini
Carmen C
CC
Toro Vizcarrondo
Carlos E
CE
Psoter
Walter J
WJ
D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data