Trends in dental caries experience among children and adolescents in northern Poland between 1995 and 2003.

Objective: To evaluate the oral health status of children and adolescents in the Gdansk region of Poland based on epidemiological examinations performed in 1995 and 2003.

Basic Research Design: Sampling and examinations were performed according to WHO standards in children and adolescents aged 6, 7, 12 and 18. A sample of 180 children in each year and in each age group was selected. Their caries experience was recorded in terms of the mean dft/DMFT Index.

Results: The mean dft/DMFT scores in some groups changed significantly in the period 1995 to 2003. The average DMFT score of all 12-year-olds declined from 4.32 in 1995 to 3.20 in 2003 and that of 18-year-olds from 7.74 to 6.66.

Conclusions: The notable improvement in dental health may be due to oral health education and the increased availability of fluoride toothpaste.