National survey of oral health status of children and adults in Turkey

• Published in: Community dental health Vol. 27; no. 1; p. 12
• Main Authors: Gökalp, S G, Doğan, B Guciz, Tekçiçek, M Tek, Berberoğlu, A, Unlüer, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Chi-Square Distribution; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Calculus - epidemiology; Dental Caries - epidemiology; DMF Index; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Mouth, Edentulous - epidemiology; Oral Health; Periodontal Diseases - epidemiology; Prevalence; Rural Health - statistics & numerical data; Turkey - epidemiology; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Turkey
• ISSN: 0265-539X
• DOI: 10.1922/CDH_2365Gökalp06

To estimate the severity of dental caries and the periodontal status of children and adults in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was undertaken between September 2004 and February 2005. The Turkish Statistics Institute (TSI) selected a representative sample using the proportional stratified sampling method. The selected ages/age groups were 5, 12, 15, 35-44 and 65-74. At the end of the study, 7,833 individuals had been reached. Dental students were calibrated and examinations were done according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines during home visits. Only 30.2% of the 5-year-old group was caries-free, and the mean dmft was 3.7. Mean DMFT was 1.9 in 12- year-olds, 2.3 in 15-year-olds, 10.8 in 35-44-year-olds, and 25.8 in 65-74-year-olds. In both adolescents and adults, the prevalence of caries was higher among females than in males. In rural areas, the prevalence of caries was high among 5-year-olds, while DMFT was high in the elderly. The prevalence of dental caries was similar for 12- and 15-year-olds in urban and rural areas. Slightly less than half (48.0%) of 65-74 year-olds were edentulous. Healthy periodontal tissue was noted in 56.2% of fifteen-year-olds. In the 35-44 yr-old age group, calculus problems were high (62.6%), and 1.2% had attachment losses of 6 mm or greater. Rural subjects had more severe periodontal problems than their urban counterparts. Community-based oral disease prevention programs are needed urgently for the promotion of oral health in Turkey.