Further caries decline in Swiss recruits from 1996 to 2006.

Previous investigations showed a steady decline of the caries experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the caries experience of Swiss recruits in 2006 and to compare it to that of 1985 and 1996. The results of a parallel investigation which dealt with the periodontal health of the same recruits have already been published (Röthlisberger et al. 2007). Investigations on recruits in 1970 (Curilovic et al. 1972) and 1974 (Curilovic et al. 1980) used another methodology. Therefore, they were not included here for comparison.

Assessment of dental fluorosis prevalence in Swiss populations.

In 1996 and 2006, recruits of the Swiss army participated in a dental survey. Similarly in 1995/96 and 2004/05, randomly selected schoolchildren from 16 rural communities of the Canton of Zurich participated in a dental survey. As part of these surveys, color slides were taken of the incisor teeth of all recruits, as well as of third and fourth grade schoolchildren. The slides (N = 2049) were examined for the presence of fluoride-associated enamel opacities (FOP), using the Thyl-strup-Fejerskov (TF) index. Two examiners (A and B) assessed all slides. The examiners were blind as to the year of survey. Examiner A recorded prevalences of FOP between 18% and 27% depending on population; examiner B recorded prevalences between 7% and 12%. The examiners' influence on the estimation of the prevalence was obvious. The prevalences reported should, therefore, be considered as rough estimates. FOP of TF score 2 were only observed in approximately 1% of the participants. One examiner recorded a TF score 3 in a single individual. FOP therefore are not a cosmetic problem and certainly not a public health concern. The prevalence of FOP decreased slightly during observation period I (recruits born 1975-77 vs 1985-87) and period II (school children born 1985-87 vs 1994-96). However, the decline was statistically supported in only one instance (Period I, Examiner B).