Geographical Distribution of Dental Caries Prevalence and Associated Factors in Young Males in Finland 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Finnish conscripts have proven to be an excellent study group for epidemiological research in oral health in recent decades. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the geographical distribution of dental caries prevalence in young healthy males in Finland at the beginning of the 2020s. Associated dental caries risk factors were of interest as well.

Methods: The data were randomly collected from the eight biggest garrisons in Finland in July of 2021 by ten calibrated dentists. The study population consisted of 2077 male conscripts born between 2000 and 2002. Dental caries was recorded according to the ICDAS system. Wisdom teeth were excluded. Mean DMFT and mean DT values were calculated, and geomaps were constructed to visualize the geographical distribution. Generalized linear mixed models with logit link were conducted for the associated risk factors.

Results: The mean DMFT value of all conscripts was 3.29 (SD 3.91), while the mean DT value was 1.19 (SD 2.33). Living in areas with endemic fluoride levels in drinking water ≥0.3 mg/L decreased the odds for restorative treatment need.

Conclusion: While geographical distribution of dental caries prevalence has remained nearly the same as before, the overall restorative treatment need and treatment history have decreased countrywide.