Dental conditions in high school students, Sydney, 1972

Dental examinations of 1,895 first year students of nine Sydney metropolitan State high schools were carried out in 1972. The schools were chosen from three socio-economic areas representing upper-middle, lower-middle, and working class groups. Minimal differences were shown in the prevalence of dental diseases, treatment needs, and dental practices between the upper-middle and lower-middle socio-economic groups. The working class group showed a higher prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis, and treatment needs and reported different dental health practices from the other groups.