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Lookup NU author(s): David Evans
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Objective This paper reports the results of standardised clinical caries examinations of 176,781 5-year-old children from across the United Kingdom. These 1997/98 co-ordinated surveys are the latest in a series which seek to monitor the dental health of children and to assess the delivery of dental services. Method The criteria and conventions of the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry were used. Representative samples were drawn from participating health authorities and boards and caries was diagnosed at the caries into dentine threshold using a visual method without radiography or fibre-optic transillumination. Results The results again demonstrated a wide variation in prevalence across the UK, with mean values for d(3)mft for the current English regions (of the National Health Service) and the other UK 'territories' ranging from 1.02 in the West Midlands to 2.92 in Northern Ireland. Mean d(3)mft across the UK was 1.68 (d(3)t=1.18, mt=0.26, ft=0.23). Overall, 43% of children had evidence of caries experience (d(3)mft>0), although the means ranged between 33% (West Midlands) and 63% (Northern Ireland). The distribution of caries was highly skewed. Thus the UK mean caries experience for those with disease was 3.94, as opposed to the overall mean of 1.68. Trends over time demonstrate a modest improvement of 8.7% in overall d(3)mft for Great Britain since 1995/96, compared to the small improvement seen two years ago and the deterioration seen four years previously. Both dt and mt have fallen while ft remained unchanged. The care index has increased in all but one region/territory (14% in 1997/8, compared to 12% in 1995/6). Regional/country means for 1997/8 ranged from 9-23%. This indicator has not, however, regained the levels seen in the past. Conclusion There has been some improvement in the dental health of 5-year-old children. Overall, the provision of operative care for those with dentinal decay has also improved; however, significant groups remain within the population of 5-year-old children who have dental disease and who are in need of dental care.
Author(s): Evans DJ; Pitts NB; Nugent ZJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Community Dental Health
Year: 1999
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 50-56
Print publication date: 01/03/1999
ISSN (print): 0265-539X
ISSN (electronic):
Publisher: F D I World Dental Press Ltd.
