• Patita Bhuridej
• Surasit Kietpongsarn
• Suntarapong Rapisuwon
• Pagaporn Pisarnturakit

Objective To study the caries status of a minority group living in Doi Tung, Chiang Rai province in Northern Thailand.

Materials and methods In 2000, the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University surveyed the oral health status of 5}958 people living in Doi Tung area. The World Health Organization (1997) caries criteria were used. The caries data of 2,727 subjects aged 3, 5-6, 12, 35-44, and 60 and older were analyzed and presented in this study.

Results Sixty-eight percent of 3-year-old children (n=155) had dental caries and the mean dmft was 3.39 (s.d.=4.07). Six percent of children aged 5-6 (n=341) had dental caries in their permanent teeth with the mean DMFT of 0.33 (s.d. = 0.96). Eight percent of this age group needs dental sealants to prevent pit and fissure caries of their first permanent molars. Eighty-three percent of 12-year-old children (n=145) had dental caries and the mean DMFT was 2.31 (s.d.=2.51). Eighty-two percent of adults aged 25-34 (n=844) had dental caries and the mean DMFT was 3.52 (s.d.=3.72). Eighty-seven percent of adults aged 35-44 (n=818) had dental caries and the mean DMFT was 5.15 (s.d.=5.14). Ninety-five percent of elderly aged 60 and older (n=424) had dental caries and the mean DMFT was 12.10 (s.d.=9.43). In every age groups, the Chin-Hor had the highest percentages of caries among all minority groups.

Conclusions Children and adults in Doi Tung area had higher caries rate in both primary and permanent teeth than others living in other areas of Thailand. Among these minority groups, the Chin-Hor had the highest caries rate. Therefore, it is necessary to promote oral health and prevent dental caries in these minority groups, especially in the Chin-Hor. In addition, the minority groups received dental treatments less than other Thais. Thus, oral health promotion programs access to the treatments should be provided to them.

(CU Dent J. 2006;29:139-148)