Trends in dental caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need levels in South Africa between 1983 and 2002

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Authors

Van Wyk, Candice
Van Wyk, Philippus J.

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South African Dental Association

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine trends in dental caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need levels amongst South African children. METHODOLOGY: Data obtained from three National Oral Health surveys (1982, 1988/89, 1999/2002) was used. RESULTS: Prevalence of caries amongst 12-year-old children decreased from 64.4% (1982) through 54.9% (1988/89) to 41.7% (1999/2002) and the DMFT decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 2.54 (1982) through 1.73 (1988/89) to 1.17 (1999/2002). Unmet treatment need increased from 70.5% (1982), 72.3% (1988/89) to 75.2% (1999/2002). Significant decreases (p<0.05) were recorded in the DMFT (1982-2002) in White, 75.3%; Asian, 64.1%; Black, 49.8%; and Coloured groups, 44.8%. High levels of untreated caries (D) and very low levels of treatment (M and F) were also observed. The highest mean dmft/DMFT for 6- and 12-year-olds respectively were recorded in the coastal areas of Metro Cape (5.1/1.86); followed by Port Elizabeth (3.86/1.37) and Durban (3.42/1.33); and the lowest in the interior - Bloemfontein (2.47/0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Caries reduced significantly during the past 20 years; is more prevalent and severe amongst Coloured and Black population groups and in coastal regions compared to the interior region. Unmet treatment need in 12- and 15-year-old children increased and more than 70% of caries in 6-, 12- and 15-year-old children go untreated.

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Keywords

Dental caries, Prevalence, Severity, Oral health surveys, Unmet treatment need levels

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Citation

Van Wyk, C & Van Wyk, PJ 2010, 'Trends in dental caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need levels in South Africa between 1983 and 2002', South African Dental Association, vol. 65, no. 7, pp. 310-314. [http://www.sadanet.co.za]