IMPACT OF ACCESS TO DENTAL SERVICES ON DENTAL CARIES RISK IN ADULT POPULATION OF GEORGIA

The objectives of the present paper are to outline the oral disease burden globally and to describe the influence of major socio-behavioral risk factors and the deficit of dental services, associated with the oral health in Georgian population. One thousand and twenty-seven subjects from 6 regions of Georgia were examined. Caries prevalence and oral hygiene status was assessed among the five age groups: I- (35-44), II-(45-54), III-(55-64), IV- (65-74), V- (75-84). A questionnaire was used to evaluate general health condition, alcohol and tobacco consumption, oral hygiene habits and dental service accessibility. High prevalence (100%) of the dental caries and intensity of DMF=10.96 were recorded. There is high prevalence of the dental caries in the investigated areas of Georgia. Positive correlation between the dental caries and accessibility to dental services was noted.