Dental Health in 11 and 13 Year Old Children in Latvia

Sandra Berzina, Ruta Care

Summary

The aim of the present survey was to describe the caries prevalence, periodontal conditions and oral hygiene among 11 and 13 year old children. Dental and periodontal conditions were assessed in a representative national sample consisting of 705 schoolchildren aged 11 and 13 years in 1993. Clinically detectable caries was found in 91.2% of the children, restorations in 73.8% and recurrent caries in 36.7%. The mean DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) and DMFS (decayed, missing, filled surfaces) were 3.9 /6.8 in the 11-year-old group, and 6.1/11.8 in the 13-year-old group, respectively. Visible dental plaque was observed in 99.7% of the 11-year-olds and in 99.1% of the 13-year-olds. The periodontal conditions were recorded using CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs). In both age groups an average of 2.5 sextants had healthy periodontal tissue. Gingival bleeding was detected in 3.0 sextants in the 11-year-old group and in 2.9 sextants in the 13-year-old group. Calculus was found in 0.3 and 0.5 sextants per person, respectively. Results of this survey suggest high caries prevalence and insufficient oral hygiene in Latvian schoolchildren.

Key words: dental caries; oral hygiene; CPITN.

Address correspondence to Dr. Sandra Berzina:
Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Stomatology, Riga Stradins University, 20 Dzirciema Str., Riga LV 1007, Latvia.

Received: 22 04 2003

Accepted for publishing: 27 06 2003