SÂU RĂNG NGƯỜI TRƯỞNG THÀNH VÙNG DUYÊN HẢI NAM TRUNG BỘ

Abstract

Background: Dental caries in adults remains a major public health problem and requires continuous evaluation to develop appropriate preventive and treatment strategies.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dental caries among adults in the South Central Coastal Region of Vietnam and to evaluate changes in caries status over the past two decades.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Dental caries status was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and compared with data from the 2000 survey and the 2019 National Oral Health Survey of Vietnam.

Results: The prevalence of dental caries ranged from 60.4% to 69.0%. The mean DMFT index increased with age, from 3.31 in the 18–34-year age group to 12.80 in adults aged ≥65 years. The proportion of teeth receiving restorative treatment remained low across all age groups. Compared with the year 2000, both the prevalence of dental caries and the mean DMFT index showed a significant decline.

Conclusion: Although the prevalence and severity of dental caries have decreased compared with previous decades, dental caries remains strongly associated with increasing age, while the rate of restorative treatment is still low. Strengthening preventive programs and promoting conservative dental treatment for adults are essential to improve oral health outcomes.