Dental caries and periodontal disease among Mexican-American children from five southwestern states, 1982-1983.

Analysis of Southwestern HHANES data showed that the prevalence of dental caries among Mexican-American children is similar to that of children of the same age examined during the NIDR survey (1979-1980), despite a lower level of restorative treatment. Approximately 50% of Mexican-American children 17 years of age, however, had five or more teeth that were either decayed or filled. Occlusal surfaces of molars were the most susceptible teeth to decay; few anterior teeth were affected. This distribution of dental caries strongly supports the use of fissure sealants on molar teeth. Children from low-income families had two times more decayed teeth than children from high-income families. Mild gingivitis and poor oral hygiene were more prevalent in the Mexican-American children than in the child population for the region examined during NHANES I in 1971-1974. Children from high-income families had better periodontal health than those from low-income families.