Oral health in Tuvalu

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Abstract
Current WHO methods were employed to estimate the prevalence of oral pathology, dentofacial anomalies, periodontal disease, caries and prosthetic status, as well as treatment needs in Tuvalu, a newly emergent nation in the South Pacific. Fluorosis was endemic, but other disorders of teeth, mucosa or bone were extremely rare and the presence of dentofacial anomalies was very low. Periodontal disease was moderate at 15 yr of age, but seemed to be a predisposing factor in caries from the late teens onward. Comparison with a survey from 8 yr previously indicated that caries rates had risen from very low to low at 12 yr of age, but treatment services had improved markedly. More than half of persons in the 55-64 yr age group required full maxillary and mandibular dentures while 10% already possessed them.

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