Caries and fillings in the permanent dentition of cohorts of schoolchildren in Espoo, Finland.

The purpose of the study was to analyze longitudinally the timing of enamel caries and, thereafter, fillings in occlusal, proximal and smooth surfaces of the permanent dentition of cohorts of schoolchildren initially 7, 10, 13, and 15 yr old. Altogether 228 children were examined annually during a 3-year period. Enamel and dentin caries affected on an average less than 15% of the occlusal surfaces in the first molars and at most 4% of the premolars; fillings proved to be the main determinant of the DF-scores for occlusal surfaces. On the other hand, decay was the main determinant of DF-scores on the proximal surfaces of the molars for at least 6 yr after eruption. The results indicate that in the 1970s some overtreatment of occlusal caries may have occurred, whereas indications for fillings on proximal surfaces were more accurate. The reduction in the number of extractions and fillings during the late 1970s resulted in a considerable decrease in the DMF scores. The decrease on DMF scores appears to have been due only to a minor extent to the decrease in caries. Thus, there was a decline in DMF scores rather than a decline in the prevalence of caries during this period.