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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Oral health and treatment needs among 15-year-olds in Tehran, Iran
R Yazdani1, M M Vehkalahti, M Nouri
1Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Reza.Yazdani@helsinki.fi
Objectives:
To study oral health status and treatment need among 15-year-olds in Tehran, Iran in relation to their parents' level of education.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study based on the WHO criteria, was carried out in 2004 among 15-year-olds (n=506) in Tehran. Data collection was by a self-administered questionnaire and a clinical dental examination to assess dental caries, periodontal conditions and orthodontic treatment needs.
Results:
Mean DMFT was 2.1 (95%CI=1.9, 2.4), which comprised DT=0.9, MT=0.2, and FT=1.0. The mean SiC index was 5.2 (95%CI=4.8, 5.5). Mean numbers of sextants with PI scores 0, 1, and 2 were 0.6, 2.1, and 3.3 respectively, and with CPI scores 0, 1, and 2, were 2.1, 3.5 and 0.4 respectively. Need for caries (DT>0) treatment existed in 40% of subjects, for scaling (CPI=2) in 24%, for oral hygiene instructions in 100%, and for orthodontic treatment in 26%. Subjects with caries and dental plaque were fewer among those whose parents had a high level of education (p<0.05). Presence of dental plaque was associated with DT>0 (OR=1.8, p=0.01) and CPI>0 (OR=11.2, p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Poor level of oral hygiene among the present 15-year-olds calls for school-based oral health promotion activities focusing on oral self-care.
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