Dental health of Vietnamese Boat People on Pulau Bidong, Malaysia

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Abstract
The influx of refugees from Vietnam to the industrialized countries has attracted a certain interest to studies describing the oral health status of these population groups. A total of 361 refugees arriving in Malaysia from Vietnam and collected immediately at the refugee camp on Pulau Bidong were studied. Dental caries, calculus, gingival bleeding and loss of periodontal attachment were recorded. Mean dmft [decayed missing or filled teeth] increased from 1.3 for 0.2-yr-olds to 7.4 for 3-5-yr-olds. For 6-9-yr-olds mean DMFT was 2.4 while it ranged between 8.5 and 10.0 for the older age groups. The frequency of secondary lesions was high for all age groups. Calculus increased consistently with age, while gingival bleeding was common even in the youngest age group. Loss of periodontal attachment greater than or equal to 6 mm was rare in all age groups except the oldest (45 yr or older). A strategy for oral health care for these population groups is discussed.

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