Pupils` Caries Prevalence and Oral Hygiene in Megara, Greece

Objectives: The objectives were: a) To record caries prevalence, treatment needs and the level of oral hygiene in 838 pupils of ages: 6, 9 and 11 years in Megara. b) To investigate potential difference in the above mentioned records between Greeks and immigrants as well as among the different ages examined. Megara is an urban area in the Prefecture of Attica (Greece). Methods: The survey included pupils from 10 primary schools of the area and the data recorded was: caries prevalence (based on dmft and DMFT indices), treatment needs (d/d+f % and D/D+F %), the simplified oral hygiene (DI-s), CPITN and SiC indices. Caries diagnosis was based on the WHO caries diagnostic criteria (1997). All subjects were clinically examined by two examiners trained and calibrated according to the WHO guidelines. Comparison of DI-s, CPITN and SiC indices among the different groups was carried out using x2 test, while the distribution of dmft and DMFT values in different groups was assessed using t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). All analyses were performed using a significance level of 0.05. Results: Pupils of 9 years old have statistically significantly greater percentages of dmft>0 (57.9%) compared to those of 6 (34.4%) and 11 years old (28.6%), (p< 0.0001). Greeks present more often, compared to the immigrants: a) d/d+f=0% (82.4% vs 63.8%, p<0.0001), b) D/D+F=0% (70.3% vs 37.1%, p<0.0001) and c) “good” oral hygiene (40.8% vs 23%, p<0.011). Conclusions: Greek pupils present more favorable caries prevalence and oral hygiene compared to the immigrants. The above results underline the need for more intensive preventive programs in the period of mixed dentition and especially for the immigrants.