Prevalence and polarization of dental caries among young, healthy adults: Cross-sectional epidemiological study

AbstractObjective.Oralhealth ofyoungpeoplehasimproved inthe industrialized countries duringpastdecades.However,stagnationof this progress has been reported recently. The main aim of this epidemiological study was to investigate the level ofcariologicaltreatmenthistoryandneed(DMFT,DT)andpolarizationofdentalcariesamongahealthyyoungmalepopulationbornin theearly1990s.Materialsandmethods.Oralhealthof13,564menand255womenbornin1990, 1991or1992wasscreened based on the WHO criteria for epidemiological studies by 15 calibrated dentists in 20 garrisons (of a total 24) of theFinnish Defence Forces in January and July 2011. Mean DMFT and DT (SD) values and their distribution were calculatedexcluding wisdom teeth. Polarization was investigated using the Lorentz analysis. Results. Mean DMFT, DT and FT valueswere DMFT = 4.1 (SD = 4.2), DT = 1.4 (SD= 2.5) and FT = 2.7 (SD = 2.9). Almost half of the men (45.1%) and one third ofthe women (37.3%) had at least one tooth needing restorative treatment. About 30% of the conscripts had 90% of all carieslesionsand~10%oftheconscriptshadhalfofalllesions.Conclusions.Oralhealthofyoungmaleshasnotimprovedsincetheprevious study amongconscripts 15years ago.Polarization of dentalcariesstillexists. Abouthalfof theyoungmale populationstill has manifested dental caries. Oral health promotion must not be neglected, even in countries with low caries prevalence.Key Words: caries prevalence, young adult, polarization, treatment need, screening oral health, epidemiology