Dental caries and sealant prevalences in schoolchildren in Tennessee

This article presents findings on the prevalence of dental caries and dental sealants from the 1988 oral health survey of schoolchildren in Tennessee. The purpose of the study was to describe the prevalence of dental caries, dental sealants, and periodontal disease, as well as the need for restorative, exodontia, and periodontal treatment among schoolchildren. A multistage probability sample was designed to represent 927,000 children enrolled in grades K-12 in public and private schools across the state. Analyses of the data collected from the examination of 2,588 children aged 5-17 revealed that 55 percent were caries free in their permanent dentition and that the mean DMFS score was 2.86. For those aged 5-9, the mean dfs score was estimated to be 5.52. Only 10 percent of schoolchildren in Tennessee had dental sealants on their teeth. Comparisons of the results of this survey with those reported from earlier state surveys indicated that caries levels have declined steadily. We assumed that the reduction in caries experience observed in Tennessee is the result of widespread exposure of children to systemic and topical fluorides. Further reduction in caries experience is possible with continued fluoridation of community water supplies, in conjunction with increased utilization of pit and fissure sealants.