title: Caries Prevalence in Korean Children and Adolescents from 2000 to 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  National oral health data is required to assess a population's oral health needs, monitor oral health, plan effective intervention community programs and health policies, and evaluate progress toward health objectives. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, severity, and inequality in dental caries distribution among Korean young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trained, calibrated examiners at the Korea Ministry of Health & Welfare conducted epidemiological surveys in 2000, 2006, and 2012 during which dental caries were assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria. Decayed, missing, and filled surface and tooth (DMFS/DMFT) indices were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DMFT indices decreased in all regions between 2000 and 2012, with values of 3.3, 2.2, and 1.8 for 12-year-old children in 2000, 2006, and 2012, respectively. The prevalence of caries was higher among female versus male subjects and in rural versus urban areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the observed decrease in caries experience indicators in Korea, the caries prevalence remains considerably higher than that in European countries and than the targets set by WHO within the Health21 policy framework. Therefore, Korea apparently retains further potential for caries reduction. Community-based oral disease prevention programs are urgently needed to promote oral health.
authors.forename: Ah-Hyeon
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Youn-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Jong-Bin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: So-Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Delivery of health care; Dental caries; Dental health surveys; Epidemiology; Evidence-based dentistry; Preventive dentistry