Oral health in 35-44 year old adults in France.

In 1994, a national study was carried out in the Rhône-Alpes area of France, within the WHO International Collaborative Study on Oral Health Outcomes. One thousand, 35-44-year-old adults were examined in 35 geographical sites. WHO assessment forms were used for the survey. None of the 35-44 year olds were edentulous and 97 per cent of the sample had more than 20 natural teeth present. The mean number of teeth was 27.1. The DMFT index was 14.6. The DT component was 1.2 and MT was 3.0. FT (10.4) was the major component of the DMFT index. Of the 1000 adults, 90.9 per cent did not have bridges, 48.8 per cent needed conservative treatment and 51.9 per cent required crowns or bridges. Indications for fillings were frequent and concerned on average one tooth per subject. Disparities are brought to the fore between dental health and the required treatment, and the following variables: gender, location and socio-economic status.

Periodontal conditions in 65-74 year old adults in France, 1995.

In 1995, a study was undertaken in France to assess the periodontal health status of 603 noninstitutionalized elderly subjects aged 65-74 years. Thirty areas were identified in the Rhône-Alpes region, with a sampling method based on stratified quotas according to sex, place of residence and socio-economic group (S-EG). The CPITN index was used. The total prevalence of healthy dentate adults (n = 483) was 16.5 per cent, whilst 16.3 per cent of the adults were edentulous. The prevalence of CPITN code 1 + 2 (low) was 50.7. The higher S-EG having fewer codes 1 and 2 (45.8 per cent) than the lower S-EG (49.7 per cent) and the medium S-EG (55.7 per cent). The total prevalence of periodontal disease (code 3 + 4) was 31.5. The prevalence of periodontal disease was lower in adults of medium socio-economic status and was also lower in adults living in urban residences. Overall, 66.9 per cent of the entire population needed oral hygiene instruction, 56.6 per cent scaling and 2.3 per cent complex periodontal treatment.

Oral health status in 65-74 years old adults in France, 1995.

BACKGROUND: A study was carried out to assess the oral health status of the non-institutionalized population aged 65-74 years and living in the Rhône-Alpes region, France, in 1995. METHODS: The representative sample was composed of 603 subjects comprised of 41.5% of men of which 24.5% lived in rural areas--i.e. less than 2,000 inhabitants--and 75.5% of urban areas. The quota sample used was stratified by socio-economic status, residence and gender. Oral health was defined by dentate status, D (Decayed), M (Missing), F (Filled) components and DMFT components. Carious lesions, fillings, missing teeth were recorded using the World Health Organization criteria. An indicator of treatment need--the ratio of decayed teeth over decayed and filled teeth--D/D+F was used. RESULTS: The DMFT index at 65-74 years for the French population was 23.3 +/- 4.0. The dental condition of the study group in the Rhônes-Alpes region of France appears satisfactory considering the low percentage of untreated decayed teeth at 65-74 years old (17.4%) and the low rate of edentate people (16.3%). Gender, location and socio-economic variables in relation to the dental status were discussed. CONCLUSION: The relatively good oral health status of the senior citizens and the low rate of need for treatment of dental decay together with the level of oral care available provided a solid base for further development of a qualitative national dental care system.

Fluoridated salt in France.

Since November 28, 1985, fluoridated salt at a concentration of 250 mg KF per Kg has been authorized in food in France. It was introduced in the market at the end of 1986 and represented, in 1993, more than 60% of the market of salt. The effect of this Public Health measure will be shown. The efficiency is evaluated in epidemiological studies concerning DMF in the whole of France and in terms of safety by measurement of urinary excretion of fluoride in children who consume potassium fluoride in the salt and fluoride tablets. Last, the prevention policy in France will be described, including the use of fluoridated salt.

Periodontal conditions in 35-44-yr-old adults in France, 1993.

A national study was carried out in France in 1993 to assess the periodontal status of the population aged 35-44 yr. The study took part in the Second International Collaborative Study of Oral Health Outcomes developed and coordinated by the World Health Organization. The representative sample was composed of 1000 subjects. The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) index was used. Gingivitis prevalence was high (80.4%) while 26.6% of dentate subjects had shallow pockets (4-5 mm). Deep pockets (> 6 mm) were rare (1.6%) concerning on average 0.1 sextant per subject; 87.5% of the 994 dentate adults needed periodontal treatment. Oral health education and scaling should reduce periodontal pathology in this population group.

[Tooth by tooth epidemiological study of caries in 3,400 children]. / Etude épidémiologique dent par dent de la carie chez 3,400 enfants.

The DMF index distribution and the D, M, and F distributions on the whole teeth were described from a representative sample including 3,400 children at ages 6, 9 and 12. Results showed a great symetry for dental caries on each side of the median sagittal plane. The main spots of dental attack were found and the importance of each tooth in the determination of various indexes was analyzed. At each age, the first permanent molars are the most atracked. Many children have three or four decayed molars. Concerning the eruption of permanent teeth and the loss of primary teeth, we found the same symetry of these events between upper and lower maxillar as well as from on side of the median sagittal plane to the other.