title: The prevalence of dental caries among adult population of different regions of Georgia.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of dental caries in adult population of Georgia according to their regional distribution. The survey was carried out by pathfinder survey, based on cluster- stratified method derived by WHO. 2370 adults including 1289 women and 1081 men distributed in 4 age groups: I - 20-34 years, II - 35-44, III - 45-64, IV - 65+ years, the residents of the city, town and village in 9 regions of Georgia and the capital Tbilisi were examined. The assessment of dental status and oral hygiene was based on WHO-'s recommendation. (WHO 1997 'Oral Health Assessment Form') Examination was done under good natural light using a mouth mirror and an explorer. Questionnaires comprised questions for revealing the following risk-factors: social status and family income, existence of common diseases, people's attitude towards oral hygiene (tooth brushing, using dental floss) accessibility and acceptability of dental service, sugar consumption rate, tobacco use, consumption of dairy products. The study revealed the high prevalence of dental caries in Georgia's adult population (96-100%) Caries intensity and severity was seen as the highest in Mtskheta- Mtianeti - 13.26±5.97, Guria - 12.79±8.92, Samtskhe-Javakheti - 12.62±8.44, Shida Qartli - 12.03±7.22 and Achara - 12.23±7.89 regions, relatively lower in Tbilisi - 11.64±7.8; Qvemo Qartli - 10.96±7.07; Imereti - 10.79±7.63 Samegrelo - 10.54±7.95 and in Kakheti - 9.86±7.02. By the mean number of caries decayed teeth Mckheta-Mtianeti - 4.26±3.51, Samckhe-Javakheti - 3.52±3.51 and Imereti - 3.05±3.1 were distinguished. The mean number of caries missing teeth was noted to be highest in Guria - 5.49±7.42, Samckhe-Javakheti - 5.31±6.97 and Achara - 5.32±6.73. Mckheta-Mtianeti - 2.62±3.05, Shida Qartli - 2.39±2.8 and Tbilisi - 2.28±2.09 were the leading regions by the mean number of filled teeth, the lowest value of filled teeth variable was seen in Imereti - 0.67±1.39. In summary behavioral factors (unsatisfactory oral hygiene and less acceptability of dental service due to low medical educational background) play substantial role in occurrence and prevalence of dental caries among adult population of Georgia in all regions, though the financial problem seems to be a considerable contributor in caries prevalence. Reliable statistical data obtained in the study allowed to conclude that in spite of small differences in prevalence in different regions of Georgia dental caries is very widespread throughout the country (96-100%). It represents a major problem in Georgia and needs serious attention and preventive measures to be carried out to enhance peoples' referral to dental service and improve medical educational background of the population.
authors.affiliation: Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tsitaisvili
authors.affiliation: Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Margvelashvili
authors.affiliation: Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalandadze
authors.affiliation: Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Margvelasvili
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005846:Georgia (Republic) / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult