Oral health conditions in an Albanian adolescent population: an epidemiological study

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the oral health conditions of an adolescent population of Tirana. METHODS A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in a sample (n = 1885), aged 16-19, mean age 17.4 (SD = 1.0), attending public schools in Tirana and province; 1200 adolescents were included into the analysis. A clinical observation without radiographs was conducted in the medical room of the schools during the 2012-2013 school year. RESULTS Very severe and severe orthodontic treatment need, grade 5 and 4 of IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need), were found in 17.0 % of the sample. DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth) was 4.9, whereas OHI (Oral Hygiene Index) was documented in the highest number of subjects (n = 384), 32 % of the total sample possessed "good" grade of oral hygiene. CPI (Community Periodontal Index) was observed at score 0 (healthy gingival condition) in most of the subjects (53.1 %), score 1 (gingival bleeding) in 33.4 % of the total sample. PI (Plaque Index) results showed 43.9 % of the sample (527 subjects) with score 0. CONCLUSIONS The study findings highlight the need for preventive care programs to improve oral health conditions as well as to reduce oral pathology risk factors in Albania.