The prevalence and treatment of dental caries among Israeli permanent force military personnel

Harold D. Sgan-Cohen, Tuvia Horev, Shlomo P. Zusman, Joseph Katz, Arieh Eldad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine dental caries prevalence and treatment among 1,095 25- to 44-year-old permanent force Israeli military personnel. Caries experience, by decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT), was 11.66, with an average of 1.37 untreated caries, 2.40 extracted teeth, and 7.90 treated teeth. Caries was positively associated with age (p < 0.001). Females demonstrated statistically higher DMFT levels than males (p = 0.009). Negative associations were detected for education levels and untreated and extracted components (p < 0.001), and a positive association was detected for the treated caries component (p < 0.001). Permanent military personnel treated by private dentists exhibited 17.6% untreated caries, compared with 9.4% among personnel treated in the army. Officers had lower levels of untreated caries (8.6%) than others (13.3%). Among the present population, 77% had attended a dental clinic in the preceding 2 years. Permanent force personnel are offered free, comprehensive, and accessible dental treatment. The data emphasize a need for further dental health education.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)562-565
Number of pages4
JournalMilitary Medicine
Volume164
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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