Relation of Dental Caries Experience and Gingivitis to Geographic Location and Size of Community in Males 17 to 21 Years Old (At the Great Lakes Naval Training Center)

Abstract

2368 young adult men 17 to 21 yrs. of age coming from the northeastern, central and southern states were studied. The men coming from the southern states showed significantly fewer DMF teeth and tooth surfaces than those coming from the Northeast. Persons from the central states showed a caries experience almost median between the other 2 areas. The amt. and degree of gingivitis was the same in persons from all 3 areas. The number of carious (DMF) teeth or tooth surfaces and the number of inflamed gingival units (PMA) were not significantly different in men coming from rural, suburban, city or metropolitan communities.