An epidemiologic survey of oral health in Swaziland

Abstract

An epidemiologic survey of oral health was conducted on 480 schoolchildren and 400 adults in Swaziland. Age groups 7, 14, 20-24 and 35-44 were selected, and nine sampling sites were chosen in various parts of the country. Oral hygiene was generally poor, visible soft deposits being prevalent in all age groups and calculus in adults. Advanced periodontal disease was present in most people over 35 years of age, and intense gingivitis was widespread in all age groups. Dental caries was found to be a common problem, affecting practically every person, in many cases quite severely. There was a tendency towards accumulation of the disease in children. Some geographic variation was found in the prevalence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease. An additional sample of privileged children was examined, and among these children 14-year-olds showed significantly higher DMFS values than their age mates in the rest of the country. Tooth defects, including fluorosis, and oral mucosal diseases did not seem to constitute severe problems of oral health in Swaziland. On the basis of these data a public dental health program has been initiated which emphasizes prevention.