Dental health of 12-year-olds in Israel-2002.
OBJECTIVE
To gather epidemiological information on caries prevalence and treatment needs of Israeli 12-year-olds.


METHODS
Prevalence survey of a representative sample of 12-year- olds examined according to WHO Oral Health Survey methods.


RESULTS
The mean DMFT was 1.66 (DT = 0.91, MT = 0.03 FT = 0.72), a 40% decline since the previous national survey in 1989. DT and DMFT were lower amongst males (p < 0.01). There were no differences between urban and rural communities. Arab subjects had a higher prevalence, higher DT, MT and DMFT (p < 0.01), but lower FT than the Jewish subjects. In fluoridated areas, the mean DMFT was 1.39 compared to 1.83 in the non-fluoridated areas (p < 0.01). SiC (Significant Caries Index which shows the average DMFT of the third of the population with the highest DMFT) was found to be 4.31.


CONCLUSIONS
Caries prevalence has declined among 12-year-olds in Israel. However, 53.9% of the children still suffer from caries at this age. There are wide dental health disparities.
Zusman
Shlomo P
SP
Division of Dental Health, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel. zusman@netvision.net.il
Ramon
Tirza
T
Natapov
Lena
L
Kooby
Eli
E
D018912:Arabs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007585:Jews / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data