[The prevalence of permanent caries in adolescent in Sichuan province]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this survey was to obtain some information of the prevalence of dental caries in the youth aged 12, 15 and 18 years of Sichuan province.

Methods: Based on WHO and national oral health survey standards, dental caries prevalence and treatment needs were investigated randomly in selected young individuals of Sichuan province in 1995.

Results: The prevalent rates of caries of 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old adolescents were 28.47% and 36.40% and 39.54% respectively. The mean DMFT of 12-, 15- and 18-year-old were 0.52, 0.81, and 0.99. There are more pit and fissure caries than smooth caries in the young of 12-year-old than those of 15- and 18-year-old.

Conclusion: Despite improvement can be seen in adolescents' oral health in Sichuan, there remains a proportion of active untreated decays. Some simple prevention programs are needed to stabilize the caries.