A longitudinal study of dental health and treatment need in Swedish teenagers

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Abstract
Ninety-seven teenagers were followed from the age of 141/2 to 19 yr. During that time they were given regular dental cared by the Public Dental Service. Data concerning dental caries, gingival status, probing pocket depths, subgingival calculus, defective fillings, loss of attachment and additional preventive care were recorded. The prevalence and increment of caries were low and at 19 one-third of the subjects had still needed no proximal restorative care at all. However, in 26% of the 19-yr-olds subgingival calculus was diagnosed radiographically and during the study period gingival inflammation changed from being merely a result of poor oral hygiene to an indication of initial periodontal disease. There was a sex difference in dental health, which increased with age and was of clinical importance at 19. In spite of a good caries situation, most of the subjects were in need of individual care due to an initial periodontal problem. Furthermore, the change to a treatment strategy based on prevention requires regular check-ups, and an extension of intervals between dental examinations could not be justified in this study, especially as it seemed to be difficult for the regular dentist to predict future disease on a clinical basis.

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