Interpreting a decrease in DMF score in dental students in Belgium (1989 to 1994)
(1998) Louvain médical — Vol. 117, n° 6, p. 243-249 (1998)
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- (en) The aim of the study was to assess a possible improvement in dental health status in Belgian dental students from 1989 to 1994. The studied population consisted of 50 (Cohort 89) and 57 (Cohort 94) dental students attending the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. The clinical examination was performed by one examiner (JPVNH) using the DMFT- and DMFS-index. In addition, the students were interviewed with regard to their home-based oral health care, and reason and frequency with which they made dental appointments. The results have shown that all participants in both cohorts used fluoridated toothpaste and 80% brushed their teeth more than once a day. In general, the students had had easy access to dental care and had made dental appointments on regular basis. Missing first permanent molars due to caries was registered in 8 and 3 participants in Cohort 89 and Cohort 94, respectively. The number of decayed surfaces was low and they were practically all represented by active lesions without cavitation and with cavitation in enamel. Filled surfaces represented about 90% of the DMFS values, in both cohorts. The percentage of subjects with more than 20 filled surfaces decreased from 64% to 33% during the study period. A significant reduction in the mean number of fillings was observed for all surfaces. The overall reduction of operative dental care indicates a trend towards a decrease in caries prevalence and reflects changes in criteria for placement of fillings over time.
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Van Nieuwenhuysen, J.-P., Carvalho, J. C., & D’Hoore, W. (1998). Interpreting a decrease in DMF score in dental students in Belgium (1989 to 1994). Louvain médical, 117(6), 243-249. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/69860 (Original work published 1998)