The incidence of dental caries during childhood. A clinical and epidemiologic study in Matera (Southern Italy)]

AIM: The aim of the present study is to obtain comprehensive epidemiological data of the incidence of oral and dental health conditions in an Italian homogeneous population of schoolchildren. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been performed on schoolchildren born, living and attending the primary school in Matera, Basilicata, Southern Italy. Such data have been compared with the alimentary habits of the participants to the study, as well as with the social-economic family situations and with the social-environmental data. RESULTS: The data show a marked difference in the habits of oral hygiene, and in the health status of the oral structures also, based on both the sex and the environment of life. CONCLUSIONS: Such differences in the prevalence of caries among various urban areas and the behavioural habits related to sex and age ratios may be very useful findings for future regional prevention programs.