Oral health status and treatment needs in different age groups in two regions of Tanzania

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Abstract
The present study was conducted in two regions of Tanzania, where development of oral health services is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (Danida). The study comprised 6035 subjects in five age groups (5-6 yr, 12 yr, 18 yr, 35-44 yr, 55+ yr). Data were collected using WHO's survey methodology. Dental caries affected the primary dentition of one third to one fourth of the 5-6-yr-olds and mean dft was less than 1.0 in both regions. DMFT for 12-yr-olds was also low (< 1.5 DMFT), but was higher in older age groups, mainly due to more missing teeth. The F-component was negligible in all age groups. Treatment need was mainly simple fillings and extractions. Most periodontal sextants in all age groups were affected by bleeding or calculus. Periodontal pockets were rare and loss of teeth limited. It is concluded that the oral health situation in Tanzania is better than that foreseen in the goals for oral health in Tanzania in the year 2002. On the basis of these findings and the severe economic constraints prevailing within the health services in Tanzania, a revision of The National Plan for Oral Health seems urgent. A realistic estimate of the cost and the possible sources of funding of the plan is mandatory.