Incidence of dental caries among a group of university students in Turku

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to estimate the incidence of dental caries in a group of university students during a 4-year interval between registrations. Eventual differences in the periodontal and oral hygiene conditions were also examined. In addition, the reasons for high prevalence of caries in freshmen were investigated. The material consisted of 116 students, initially examined clinically and radio-graphically in 1967, and later in 1971. The amount of untreated caries diminished from originally 15.0 to 9.9 decayed surfaces per student. Untreated caries was constantly less frequent among females than males. The caries incidence was 1.9 surfaces per year which corresponds to previous estimations of the caries increment in Finland. An improvement in the gingival conditions, eventually due to the decrease of untreated carious lesions, was registered. The difference between mean PH-values in 1967 and 1971 was not significant. Classification in subgroups according to gingival and oral hygiene conditions showed, however, that the group possessing poor oral hygiene conditions diminished in size. The indices of GI and PII were higher among males than females.

The poor dental conditions among the freshmen could be attributed to a mean of 6.4 years since the termination of previous regular dental treatment.

Key Words:

• dental caries
• dental plaque
• gingivitis
• dental records
• community health services
• public health dentistry