Methods: The study was based on a computerized questionnaire regarding dental attendance and dental status was given to military personnel who attended one medical clinic for the obligatory periodic medical examination between 1998 and 2006 (not all IDF personnel).
Results: 50,757 subjects (mean age 39.5 ±6.7 years) responded to the questionnaire. The last dental visit of 60% of the participants was during the 12-month period preceding their examination. The last dental visit of 49.8% of the subjects was a scheduled treatment, of 21.5% - for examinations and of 12.2% - for emergency dental conditions. Improved dental self-care was found more in college graduated subjects in comparison with non-college graduated, and in non-smokers vs. smokers. Of the participants, 50.9% considered their own dental status as good or excellent and 7.2% considered their oral health status as poor. No significant differences were found by gender.
Conclusions: the present findings indicated high dental attendance but low self-perception of dental status, in comparison with the Israeli general population. However, the dental attendance of the present Israeli military personnel is lower than their US Army counterparts. A compulsory periodic dental examination among Israeli military personnel, similarly to the obligatory periodic medical examination, is advised.