DENTAL DEFECTS AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE IN EGYPT, 1946-1947

¹ U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt

1. Analysis of the dental records of 994 Egyptian fellaheen from Upper and Lower Egypt revealed 1.36 carious teeth per carious case.

2. The caries index was higher in Lower Egypt (1.1 average per person) than in Upper Egypt (0.81 average per person).

3. Periodontal disease varying from slight to severe was found to be present in 97.7 per cent of the study group.

4. Marginal gingivitis was the most common of the periodontal diseases found.

5. Periodontal disease bears a relationship to the amount and type of calciferous deposits, malnutrition, and dental defects.

6. Malnutrition is strongly influenced by the high incidence of intestinal parasites.

7. Geographical distribution of periodontal disease was not considered significant.

8. Dietary insufficiencies, induced by intestinal parasites and inadequate food intake, in addition to oral sepsis are perhaps the most important predisposing factors to periodontal disease in Egypt.

9. The yearly concentration of fluorides (0.71 ppm) in the water supply at Cairo, may be an indication that fluorine exerts a protective influence against tooth decay in Egypt.