title: Evaluation of oral cavity condition with regard to decay in 18-year old from urban and rural areas in Podkarpackie Province, Poland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The studies have indicated the necessity to intensify dental health care in certain Polish provinces. The purpose of study was to evaluate dental condition and establish dental health needs in the population of 18-year old youth from urban and rural region in Podkarpackie Province, Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean DMFT index (D-decayed, M-missing and F-filled teeth) was calculated as a key measure of dental decay and dental health needs identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results found the highest percentage of teeth affected by active decay (D) in the second molars, both upper and lower (>20%), the highest F score in the first and second maxillary and mandibular molars (>50% and >40% respectively), and the highest M score was observed in the first upper and lower molars. Mean DMFT score was 7.13. Higher scores were observed among the urban teenagers (DMFT=7.72 and D=2.86) compared to the teenagers from rural areas (DMFT=6.42 and D=1.37). The analysis of DMFT index with regard to gender found almost the same DMFT in males and females (males 7.15, females 7.12), and D, M and F scores differed slightly. No dental health needs were found in 36.67% examined, however 63.33% teenagers needed dental treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professional prophylactic activities should be intensified in the group of children and teenagers living in Podkarpackie Province. A scheme of refunded fissure sealing of teeth should cover second molars as well. Professional dental health care should be extended in the group of teenagers attending vocational schools.
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Paedodontics, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mielnik-Błaszczak
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Paedodontics, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rudnicka-Siwek
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Paedodontics, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warsz
authors.affiliation: Medical University, Lublin, Poland Chair and Department of Paedodontics.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Struska
authors.affiliation: Medical University, Lublin, Poland Chair and Department of Paedodontics.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krajewska-Kurzępa
authors.affiliation: Medical University, Lublin, Poland Chair and Department of Paedodontics.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult