Advances in Dental Research, Vol 7, 15-18, Copyright © 1993 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Trends in dental caries in The Netherlands
G. J. Truin, K. G. Konig and H. Kalsbeek
Department of Cariology and Endodontology, Netherlands Institute for Preventive Health Care, TRIKON: Institute for Dental Clinical Research, University of Nijmegen.
Until 1985, epidemiological studies in The Netherlands were focused on
school-age children. Up to that year, few caries prevalence data for
(young) adults in selected groups were available. In 1986, the first
National Dental Survey of the adult population was carried out in The
Netherlands. Lack of information made it impossible for trends in dental
caries in adults to be studied on a scientific basis. However, with use of
cross-sectional studies conducted on selected adult populations between
1970 and 1989, an indication of a trend in dental caries is described.
Evident changes in the age-specific average DMFT scores took place in the
younger age groups. In the older age groups, the average DMFT score has not
changed. Changes in percentages of edentates in the period 1980-1990
probably reflect part of the changes in oral health status of Dutch adults.
