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

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 < 0.00 1). Females demonstrated statistically higher DMFT levels than males (p = 0 .009). Negative associations were detected for education levels and untreat ed and extracted components (p < 0.001), and a positive association mras de tected for the treated caries component (p < 0.001). Permanent military per sonnel treated by private dentists exhibited 17.6% untreated caries, compar ed 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 populati on, 77% had attended a dental clinic in the preceding 2 years. Permanent fo rce personnel are offered free, comprehensive, and accessible dental treatm ent. The data emphasize a need for further dental health education.