[Oral disease epidemiologic illness indices and oral health measures--traditional concepts are supplemented by new socio-dental indicators].

The article describes various of the commonly used measures for oral health and disease. Their disadvantages and shortcomings are discussed, and alternative approaches are presented. It is argued that the "classical" clinical indices reflect only parts of a holistic understanding of oral health. They should be supplemented by psycho-social measures, so-called socio-dental indicators, which can be applied in epidemiological surveys as well as in the evaluation of preventive programmes.