Dental caries prevalence and CPITN of 12-year-old rural schoolchildren in Transkei.

The study investigated the prevalence and pattern of caries with particular reference to tooth and surface type and the CPITN of 12-y-old rural schoolchildren in Engcobo, Transkei. 349 schoolchildren, with a 4:6 male:female ratio were examined. The fluoride content of the water varied from 0-0.5 p.p.m. The results indicate that caries levels are low--47 per cent of the sample was caries-free. Both the median DMFT and DMFS was 1.0 (with a mean 1.7 and 2.8). The D component comprised 89 per cent, the M-10 and F-1 per cent of the total DMFT. Amongst boys, caries was distributed almost equally between the maxillary (112) and mandibular (114) arches whereas for girls more teeth were affected in the mandibular arch. Molar teeth in boys and girls accounted for 90 per cent of all teeth affected with the first molars accounting for 50 per cent and the second molars 40 per cent. In the maxillary and mandibular arch for the total group, a greater number of first molars were affected than the second molars. For girls in both the maxilla and mandible, the second molars were affected more frequently than the first molars. Overall the occlusal surfaces were affected most frequently followed by the buccal, distal, lingual and mesial. Gingival bleeding and calculus were prevalent in most sextants. Less than 6 per cent of the total subjects had no periodontal disease. Calculus was found in over 70 per cent of the children. The vast majority of the sample (94 per cent) needed oral hygiene instruction.