An epidemiologic survey of oral health in Swaziland

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Abstract
An epidemiologic survey of oral health was conducted on 480 school children and 400 adults in Swaziland. Age groups 7, 14, 20-24 and 35-44 were selected and 9 sampling sites were chosen in various parts of the country. Oral hygiene was generally poor, visible soft deposits being prevalent in all age groups and calculus in adults. Advanced periodontal disease was present in most people over 35 yr of age and intense gingivitis was widespread in all age groups. Dental caries was a common problem, affecting practically every person, in many cases quite severely. There was a tendency towards accumulation of the disease in children. Some geographic variation was found in the prevalence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease. An additional sample of privileged children was examined and, among these children, 14-yr-olds showed significantly higher DMFS [decayed, missing or filled (permanent) surface] values than their age mates in the rest of the country. Tooth defects including fluorosis and oral mucosal diseases did not seem to constitute severe problems of oral health in Swaziland. On the basis of these data a public dental health program was initiated which emphasizes prevention.