If. Angelillo et al., ORAL HEALTH-STATUS AND TREATMENT NEEDS IN IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IN ITALY, European journal of epidemiology, 12(4), 1996, pp. 359-365
The caries prevalence, oral hygiene status, periodontal health and the
treatment needs were assessed in immigrants and refugees in Catanzaro
and Crotone, Italy. The mean DMFT and DMFS scores of adults, 18 or mo
re years, were 8.1 and 33.1 for Yugoslavs, 7.4 and 28.8 for Moroccans,
and 1.4 and 4.5 for Senegalese. The analysis of variance carried out
on the three groups showed a significant inequality in their DMFT and
DMFS scores. The stepwise linear regression showed that in the Morocca
ns and Yugoslavs the DMFT increased with age. The needs for dental ext
ractions and for conservative dental care were respectively 15.8% and
39.5% in the Senegalese, 28.6% and 73.8% in the Yugoslavs, 32.7% and 7
7% in the Moroccans. Good oral hygiene status was scored for 26.3% Sen
egalese, 7.1% Yugoslavs, and 5.5% Moroccans. Good periodontal health w
as scored for 7.9%, 2.4%, and 1.2% of these groups. The analysis of va
riance carried out on the three groups showed a significant inequality
in their OHI-S and PI, and the Bonferroni test showed a significant d
ifferences in both indices comparing the Senegalese with the Moroccans
and in the OHI-S between Senegalese and Yugoslavs. The stepwise linea
r regression showed that in the Yugoslavs the OHI-S and in the Morocca
ns and Yugoslavs the PI increased with age. The results of this invest
igation demonstrated high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene and per
iodontal health, and unmet needs for dental treatment in particular Mo
roccans and Yugoslavs, and a systematic and comprehensive implementati
on of oral health promotion program for these groups is a priority nee
d.