The prevalence of dental diseases and medical and social characteristics in young people

BACKGROUND: Despite ongoing treatment and prevention programmes, the prevalence of dental diseases remains high, particularly in young people. The prevalence of oral diseases is influenced by several socioeconomic factors, including age, place of residence, fluoride intake, individual oral care, diet and general somatic disease. The study of these factors is an urgent issue in dentistry.

AIM: To study the medical and social characteristics of young people and their effect on the prevalence of dental diseases.

METHODS: The oral cavities in 917 patients aged 18–44 years who had no history of dental treatment for at least 6 months were examined. The indices of DMF, Silness–LÖe, Green–Vermillion, PMA, CPITN, detection of noncarious lesions of teeth, malocclusion and diseases of the pulp, periapical tissues and periodontal were determined. To establish the influence of social and hygienic factors on the condition of the oral cavity, the survey responses of the study participants were analysed.

RESULTS: In young people, the rates of dental caries, diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues and inflammatory periodontal diseases were 94.2%, 47.4% and 86.8%, respectively. Among the medical and social factors determining the high prevalence of dental diseases, unsatisfactory hygienic condition of the oral cavity, visits to the dentist less than once a year and professional oral hygiene less than once a year should be noted.

CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of dental diseases in young people requires a differentiated approach to therapeutic and preventive measures, using medical and social factors.