Caries Treatment Need of Malaysian Adults: Scenario after Ten Years

Objective: To assess the dental caries treatment need amongst dentate adults in Malaysia. Method: A nationwide cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified random sampling targeted 14,444 adults aged 15 years and above in households was done in 2010 (NOHSA 2010). Clinical examination on caries status was conducted by calibrated examiners, using a clinical format adapted from WHO (1997) and normative caries treatment need was assessed. Assessment of treatment need included need for both preventive caries arresting-care and caries treatment needs.  Complex sample analysis with sampling weights at state and urban/rural strata was based on 2010 census. Comparison was done with NOHSA 2000 findings. Result: A higher proportion (37.9%) of adults required extraction compared to 2000 (35.8%). Thirty eight percent needed restorative care compared to 43% in 2000. About 3.8% of adults needed preventive caries-arresting, 2.2% required pulp care and 0.7% complex conservative care, compared to 2.5%, 1.1% and 0.8% respectively in 2000. Conclusion:  The overall caries treatment need was still high in 2010 with extraction still the highest mode of treatment even after 10 years. The need for restorative care has decreased. Preventive oral health seeking behavior after leaving school needs to be further emphasized in oral health messages.