Dental caries changes between 1982 and 1991 in children aged 6-12 in Athens, Greece

The aim of this study was to compare dental caries and oral hygiene status in children aged 6-12 years in the Athens area between 1982 and 1991. Dental examinations were carried out by the same examiners in 773 children attending the same randomly selected schools sited in areas of different socioeconomic levels. The findings concerning the deciduous dention showed that the percentage of caries-free children increased in 1991 compared to 1982 by 38%. The mean deft scores were reduced by an amount ranging from 21 to 34%. Changes in caries prevalence were also observed in the permanent dention. The percentage of caries-free children for the total examined population increased by 94% while the reduction in DMFT index ranged between 38 and 70%. Treatment need was significantly lower in 1991 compared to 1982 in both dentitions. Debris index scores were similar while oral hygiene habits had slightly improved by 1991. The decline in caries levels may be attributed to the increased use of various forms of fluoride. Furthermore, dental health awareness of the population has improved.