Prevalence of Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease, Access to Dental Services and Perception of Oral Health in Adolescents and Adults from a Rural Community in Angola

Purpose: To investigate the epidemiological profile of dental caries and periodontal disease, access to dental services, and perception of oral health in adolescents and adults from a rural community in Angola. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, performed with 575 individuals aged between 12 and 40years. The prevalence of caries and periodontal disease was assessed using the DMFT index and the Community Periodontal Index. Data on access to dental services, health and oral hygiene habits, and perception of oral health were collected through interviews. Results: 42.8% never had a dental appointment; 85.1% had their last consultation in a public health service; 60.2% considered the service to be average/poor; 32.5% had their last consultation due to pain; 57.4% considered their oral health to be good/very good; 51.0% brushed their teeth twice a day; and 36.9% did not use toothpaste. The prevalence of untreated caries was 72.9% and only 1.7% of teeth affected by tooth decay were restored. A mean of 0.88 +/- 1.44 sextants showed gingival bleeding; 1.46 +/- 1.74 showed dental calculus; and 0.16 +/- 0.58 showed periodontal pockets. The prevalence of sextants with periodontal pockets of 6mm or more was 1.7%. Conclusion: The prevalence of untreated caries was high, while periodontal disease does not represent a severe problem in this population. Access to dental services is poor and limited to extractions.