Oral health status of Vietnamese adults: findings from the National Oral Health Survey of Vietnam.

Background: The National Oral Health Survey of Vietnam 1999 was conducted to inform policy development.

Aims: This article aims to describe the oral health status, analyze its socioeconomic distribution, and evaluate change over time in the oral health of the adult population of Vietnam.

Methods: A multistaged stratified sampling process was used. Adults aged 18+ years completed a social survey and were examined by trained and calibrated dentists.

Results: Oral symptoms were frequent. Dental care utilization was low and mostly problem driven. One third of adults had periodontal pockets. Calculus was highly prevalent. Caries level was moderate with a mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth score of 4.98 (SD 5.7), with most as untreated decay. Factors related to caries were gender, hygiene practices, socioeconomic status, location, and dental visiting.

Conclusions: The oral health status of the Vietnamese adult population was compromised by various factors. There was indication of deteriorating oral health of this population.