Current status of dental caries in the junior ranks

ABSTRACT

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic bacterial disease of mankind responsible for extensive tooth loss in our country. To find out the prevalence of dental caries amongst our troops, 1500 Junior army personnel aged 18-50 years were examined and their DMF Index recorded. The results showed that 57.6% of the subjects suffered from dental caries, 74.4% had no missing teeth and 91.3% had no restorations in their mouth. The DMF Index ranged between 1.28 to 4.45 [mean=2.77]. A mean DMF Index of 2.77 in this study placed our subjects in a "moderate level" of dental caries status of WHO criteria. To reduce the dental caries in our troops, more emphasis should be laid on the preventive measures: