Trends in dental caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need levels in South Africa between 1983 and 2002.

OBJECTIVES To determine trends in dental caries prevalence, severity and unmet treatment need levels amongst South African children. METHODOLOGY Data obtained from three National Oral Health surveys (1982, 1988/89, 1999/2002) was used. RESULTS Prevalence of caries amongst 12-year-old children decreased from 64.4% (1982) through 54.9% (1988/89) to 41.7% (1999/2002) and the DMFT decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 2.54 (1982) through 1.73 (1988/89) to 1.17 (1999/2002). Unmet treatment need increased from 70.5% (1982), 72.3% (1988/89) to 75.2% (1999/2002). Significant decreases (p < 0.05) were recorded in the DMFT (1982-2002) in White, 75.3%; Asian, 64.1%; Black, 49.8%; and Coloured groups, 44.8%. High levels of untreated caries (D) and very low levels of treatment (M and F) were also observed. The highest mean dmft/DMFT for 6- and 12-year-olds respectively were recorded in the coastal areas of Metro Cape (5.1/1.86); followed by Port Elizabeth (3.86/1.37) and Durban (3.42/1.33); and the lowest in the interior--Bloemfontein (2.47/0.73). CONCLUSIONS Caries reduced significantly during the past 20 years; is more prevalent and severe amongst Coloured and Black population groups and in coastal regions compared to the interior region. Unmet treatment need in 12- and 15-year-old children increased and more than 70% of caries in 6-, 12- and 15-year-old children go untreated.