[The orodental status of a population of school children in the southeast of France in 1991].

Abstract

An epidemiological survey was conducted in 1991 in the South-East of France in order to estimate the oral health conditions of a sample of 6-15 year old children. The caries prevalence of 457 subjects was presented as mean values of the dft, dfs, DMFT and DMFS indices. The dft and dfs indices decreased from the age of 6 years and the mean number of decayed surfaces of deciduous teeth was always lower than two. First carious lesions in permanent teeth were diagnosed at 6 years, but no filling was observed before 7 years. The fissure caries were the most frequent. Extractions for caries were very rare. The comparison of this study with a similar one made in 1987 showed a reduction in caries more important in the permanent teeth. A decrease in the number of decayed surfaces was also observed. This improvement in oral health seemed to be mainly related to better oral hygiene and an increase in the use of fluoridated dentifrices.