Global changes in caries prevalence and dental manpower requirements: 2. The reasons underlying the changes in...

A Joint Working Group of the WHO and FDI was formed in 1981 to investigate the dramatic decrease in caries in children and young people that had been observed in a number of industrialized countries in the 1970s. The results of this investigation are reported in this series of three articles. Part 1 described the assembly and analysis of all available data from 20 selected countries. Nine developed countries showed substantial++ reductions in caries. The most probable reasons for these reductions will be examined here. These included: widespread exposure to fluoride in the form of fluoridated water, fluoride supplements and fluoridated toothpaste; the provision of preventive dental health services; increased dental awareness through organized education programmes; and ready access to dental services. Comparison with Japan, which has not experienced a similar reduction in caries, indicates that the single most important factor was the availability of fluoride toothpaste. The possible effects on dental manpower needs of a declining caries incidence will be discussed in Part 3.