Epidemiologic oral health survey of Argentine children.

An epidemiologic oral health survey of 2279 children aged 7-8 and 12-13 was carried out in eight different regions of Argentina using methods and criteria recommended by the WHO. The children examined lived in rural or urban areas and were of Caucasian or Amerindian extraction. Periodontal status showed that 75% of this population had soft deposits, while calculus and gingivitis increased with age. Calculus: 0.4 at 7 yr to 16.1 at 13; gingivitis: 2.7% at 7 yr to 27.2% at 13. At age 8, the mean number of dmf per child was 3.9. The percentage of caries-free children with permanent dentition dropped from 60% at age 7 to 32% at age 13. In Amerindian children, all these parameters were higher. Both the mean dmf and DMF per child were substantially lower in natural fluoride areas than in non-fluoride areas. Data from this first nationwide epidemiologic study in this country provide baseline data for further investigations. According to the data obtained in this study, Argentine regions may be classified as high, medium or low risk areas, although a lack of adequate dental care was found in all regions. With these risk priorities as a guideline, we propose an initial strategy consisting of a carefully planned and selective program of primary dental health care.