Prevalence of caries in Germany assessed by DMS and SHIP

Objectives: To compare caries prevalence in Germany assessed by the national German Oral Health Studies (DMS-III,IV) and the regional Studies of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-0,1). Furthermore, we evaluated the association between changes in tooth loss and DMFT components.

Methods: DMS studies are cross-sectional surveys evaluating WHO-age-cohorts in 1997 and 2005. SHIP is a longitudinal study with a 20-79-year-old population examined in 1997-2001 and 5 years later in Pomerania, East Germany. For methodical comparability descriptive analysis was restricted to adults (35-44years) and seniors (65-74years). To assess caries status DMFT was determined; tooth loss referred to a total of 28 teeth.

Results: While in DMS adults (n=655/925) the total number of teeth increased from 23.8 to 25.3, mean DMFT decreased from 16.1 to 14.6 with DT and FT remaining constant. Also in SHIP (n=759/613), the gain in total number of teeth (22.1 to 23.9) occurred parallel to a reduction in DMFT (17.8 to 16.6) with decreasing MT and slightely increasing FT. Thus, in adults additionally preserved teeth remained predominantly healthy in both studies.

In DMS seniors (n=1367/1040) the total number of teeth increased from 10.4 to 13.9. In parallel, the mean DMFT decreased from 23.7 to 22.1. FT increased by 1.9; the number of healthy teeth increased from 4.4 to 5.9. In SHIP seniors (n=683/592) the total number of teeth changed from 8.2 to 11.0, while mean DMFT diminished (24.1 to 22.6). FT increased from 3.9 to 6; the number of healthy teeth increased from 3.9 to 5.4. Thus, in both studies around half of the three additionally preserved teeth are healthy and half are filled.

Conclusions: In summary, caries prevalence is decreasing in Germany. Additionally preserved teeth are predominantly healthy, especially in the adult.

SHIP was supported by BMBF-01-ZZ-9603/0 and Gaba, Switzerland. DMS studies were financed by Bundeszahnärztekammer and Kassenzahnärztliche Bundesvereinigung.