[Prevalence of caries, fissure sealants and filling materials among German children and children of migrants].

The aim of this study was to collect information on dental health and dental care of German children and children of migrants for planning oral health promotion in the Rems-Murr-district. To meet this aim all first and fourth degree children in primary and special schools were examined. The dmft- and DMFT-Index, the number of fissure sealants, the filling material used and the children's nationality were recorded. The dmft of 6- and 7-year-olds was 1.50 among Germans, 4.61 among German migrants from Russia, 4.02 among Turks, 4.05 among children from former Yugoslavia, 2.35 among Italians, 1.95 among Greeks and 3.76 among children of other nationalities. At the age of 9 to 10 years Germans had an average of 0.31, German migrants from Russia 0.77, Turks 1.19, children from former Yugoslavia 1.32, Italians 0.64, Greeks 0.69 and children of other nationalities 0.57 DMF-teeth. In both age groups the proportion of caries-free children was highest among Germans and lowest among Turks. Also, more migrants than Germans were referred to a dentist for caries treatment. Compared to the Germans fewer migrants had at least one tooth sealed. The proportion of amalgam fillings to the total number of fillings was higher among 9- and 10-year-olds of Turkish, Italian or Yugoslavian origin than among other nationalities. The results of this study show that further development of oral health promotion programmes for children and parents with Turkish and Russian cultural background has the top-most priority.