Epidemiology of dental caries among adults in a rural area in India.
BACKGROUND
Data on epidemiology of dental caries of adults in rural India appear to be sparse.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to assess the oral health status and dental treatment needs of a rural Indian population.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 189 volunteer subjects with a mean age of 34.9 ± 14.2 years and 54% males. Decayed, missing due to caries and filled teeth (DMFT) and tooth surfaces (DMFS) assessed the dental caries experience. Structured interviews collected data on perception of health including oral health, oral hygiene practices and snacking habits.


RESULTS
While only 38.1% perceived themselves to be in good or very good dental health, nearly 85% felt the same about general health. The most common sugar exposure was sweetened tea; 75% consumed the beverage at least once a day. More than 80% of the subjects had untreated caries with mean DMFT and DMFS scores of 5.1 ± 3.9 and 13.8 ± 17.8, which lacked any gender differences. Dental treatment needs ranged from 16.9% two-surface fillings to 60.8% one-surface fillings; 23.8% crowns or bridges and 37.6% extractions. Those who perceived themselves to be in better oral health had significantly lower DMFT (4.0 ± 3.2 vs 5.9 ± 4.1) and DMFS (8.4 ± 11.7 vs 17.1 ± 20.0) scores (p < 0.05). A similar trend was observed between perception of general health and DMFT (4.8 ± 3.4 vs 7.0 ± 5.6) and DMFS (11.9 ± 13.7 vs 24.1 ± 30.7) scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate high levels of dental caries as well as dental treatment needs among the study participants.
Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA.
Ami M
AM
Maru
Sena
S
Narendran
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013662:Tea; D055815:Young Adult
D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D013662:Tea