Oral health survey

The dentistry department is participating in a national oral health survey together with the universities of Malta and of Glasgow.

The survey is not only studying the decayed, missing and filled surfaces index but is also looking at lifestyle habits and their relation to dental disease.

Health Minister Louis Deguara hoped the results of the survey would be available later in the year. They would help to identify whether Malta's national goals for dental health, particularly in five- and 12-year-olds, had been reached and to enable the health authorities to set new goals and determine their strategy for oral health, he said.

Dr Deguara, who was speaking during the 10th annual conference of the department of dentistry, said the first national health interview survey carried out last year by the department of health information showed that nearly 40 per cent of the population consulted with a dentist in one year, with just over 15 per cent attending for routine check-ups. Another 15 per cent went to the dentist when in pain.

The results of this survey suggest that over 75 per cent of the population have a functional natural dentition. In fact, over 86 per cent can chew on hard foods without difficulty. It was however important to note that over 20 per cent consumed sweets and soft drinks on a daily basis.