Changes in oral health conditions among 6- to 15-year-old children in Auvergne (France) 1987-1991.

A representative sample of 1,200 schoolchildren of Auvergne (France) ranging in age from 6 to 15 years was randomly selected. Dental caries experience was determined using the dft, DMFT and DMFS indices. The plaque index and the gingival index were also recorded. Comparison with an identical 1987 study enabled the changes in schoolchildren's dental health to be examined. Significant reductions were observed in all age groups for the DMFT and DMFS indices and in the 6-9-year-old group for the dft index. The mean DMFT score for 12-year-old children was 1.97 in 1991, as compared to the score of 4.62 reported in 1987 (57.3 per cent reduction). While no significant variation was observed in the gingival index, the plaque index decreased significantly for the 7-14-year-old group. The comparison confirmed the trend to a lower caries experience in schoolchildren in Auvergne as in many Western European countries.