Caries prevalence and related factors in Thailand 1983-1997.

Abstract

Data of DMFT & dmft surveys at provincial and national level during 1983-1997 were collected and analysed together with some factors related to dental caries. Dental caries in primary dentition was generally found in preschool children. More than 80% of 6 year-old children was affected with dental caries with average 6 teeth/person. The prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth of 12 year-old seemed to be stable since 1984 at DMFT 1.5 per person. However, one forth of the children may be considered a high risk with an unacceptably large number of teeth with caries experience. High prevalence of tooth loss was in adult and elderly. There were on average only 18 teeth presented in elderly. Most of decayed teeth were not treated which reflected the problem of inadequate service accessibility. The higher sugar consumption, inappropiate child feeding were significant contributing factors of dental caries. It was recommended that package of basic dental service should be made available and accessible by all Thais. However it was considerable in health personnel capacity building for the oral health promotion and people's ability in oral self care.