[Relationship of dental treatment and oral hygiene to caries prevalence and need for periodontal treatment].

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between differences in dental attendance and oral hygiene patterns and dental caries and periodontal treatment needs. 1469 young people, aged 7, 12 and 15-19 years, and representing the urban (60%) and rural (40%) population from Spain were evaluated. Dental caries and periodontal treatment needs were registered according to the index D.M.F.T. and C.P.I.T.N., following the criteria of W.H.O. Regular dental attendance was observed in 16.6% of subjects examined, and only 9.4 saw a dentist regularly for dental prophylaxis. Statistical analyses showed that while the more frequent the dental visits, the lower the rate of caries, and periodontal treatment needs, the higher, however, the average number of fillings and the D.M.F.T. scores. These individuals had the higher number of functioning teeth, restored or sound, but they also had the disadvantage of having higher levels of disease experience. By the other way the individuals who saw the dentist regularly for dental prophylaxis presented the lower caries rate and periodontal treatment needs, the fewer tooth loss, and also an important reduction in the D.M.F.T. scores. Similar observations had been made in the individuals who brush their teeth frequently or with a correct technique. The results suggested that while frequent dental visits do not apparently help to prevent the onset of further dental disease, we can achieve this goal with regular preventive oriented dental therapy.