CPITN, DMFT, and treatment requirements in a Nicaraguan population

WHO basic methods were used to assess CPITN, DMFT, and treatment requirements in a population of 178 persons aged 12-64 yr living in urban and rural areas of Nicaragua. Two groups were examined: individuals presenting for dental treatment at health clinics (30%) and subjects chosen randomly at other locations (70%). Mean ages of both groups were similar although females were found in higher percentages among those presenting for dental care. With the exception of one young individual, all subjects had calculus in at least one sextant. About 26% of the subjects who presented for treatment had a > or = 6 millimeter pocket compared to about 14% of the remainder of subjects. The mean DMFT for health clinic subjects was 16.1 compared to 10.3 for subjects from other locations. Subjects presenting for treatment had twice as many missing teeth and a mean of 0.5 filled teeth compared to 2.4 filled teeth for other subjects. Subjects at the clinics were in greater need of restorative care and extractions, while subjects from other locations were found to have more teeth that did not require any treatment. Health clinic subjects reported more visits to the dentist in the last year than other subjects. Only 80% of those presenting for treatment owned a toothbrush compared to 97% of those examined in other locations, and the latter group reported brushing their teeth more frequently. Attrition was a commonly encountered tooth disorder with 53% of all subjects exhibiting this condition.