Abstract— The present study was conducted in two regions of Tanzania, where development of oral health services is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (Danida). The study comprised 6035 subjects in five age groups (5–6 yr. 12 yr, 18 yr, 35–44 yr. 55 + yr). Data were collected using WHO's survey methodology. Dental caries affected the primary dentition of one third to one fourth of the 5–6‐yr‐olds and mean dft was less than 1.0 in both regions. DM FT for 12‐yr‐olds was also low (<1.5 DMFT), but was higher in older age groups, mainly due to more missing teeth. The F‐component was negligible in all age groups. Treatment need was mainly simple fillings and extractions. Most periodontal sextants in all age groups were affected by bleeding or calculus. Periodontal pockets were rare and loss of teeth limited. It is concluded that the oral health situation in Tanzania is better than that foreseen in the goals for oral health in Tanzania in the year 2002. On the basis of these findings and the severe economic constraints prevailing within the health services in Tanzania, a revision of The National Plan for Oral Health seems urgent. A realistic estimate of the cost and the possible sources of funding of the plan is mandatory.

The study was done in 1982/83 as an oral health baseline for a comprehensive health project involving primary school children in rural areas of Tanzania. A number of 399 standard two pupils with a mean age of 10.9 yr were dentally examined and interviewed using closed questions. Interexaminer reproducibility for caries was 99%, inter‐interviewer reliabilities for population correspondence were between 81% and 100%. DMFS + defs was 1.1 for the 92% brushing their teeth daily and 1.9 for children brushing once a week or less. The amount of plaque, calculus, and gingivitis showed no relation to brushing, if it was performed more than once a week. The effect of using chewing sticks or plastic toothbrushes was identical. Children eating cakes, biscuits and/or sweets at least three times a day seemed to have more caries than the rest, DMFS + defs being 1.5 and 1.1, respectively. Consumption of sugar cane did not show any relation to the caries amount. In one of five districts traditional removal of primary tooth germs had caused a mean loss (or deformity) of 1.0 permanent tooth, thereby being the most injurious dental condition. The study confirms the need of educational interventions. It does not indicate any justification for prompting children in general to brush more than once a day or restricting sweet snacks to less than once a day.

It is commonly believed that the prevalence of dental caries in developing countries is increasing, though in Kenya and Tanzania there is insufficient information to confirm such trends. In order to test the hypothesis, therefore, 762 children in Dar es Salaam and 802 children in Nairobi aged 12 yr in 1984 were examined for dental caries as part of a baseline study to monitor changes of prevalence with time. Dental caries was recorded by surfaces using the criteria recommended by the WHO and examinations were performed by standardized examiners. The mean DMFT in Dar es Salaam of 0.67 (SD 1.20) was significantly higher than that for Nairobi, 0.51 (SD 1.23). No differences were found in the mean DMFS index. Nairobi children had a greater number of filled teeth and surfaces. Although a greater proportion of children were caries-free in Nairobi than in Dar es Salaam, amongst those with caries, Nairobi children had significantly higher DMFS scores, and a greater proportion with DMFS greater than 4. The possible reasons for such findings are discussed. The mean DMFT and DMFS reported here are amongst the lowest reported in the recent literature from both countries.

The perceived need and use of oral health services among adolescents and adults in Tanzania were studied. One region from each of the country's five zones was chosen at random. Final sample selection (n = 1061) was done in the main towns of the selected regions. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire which dealt with perceived need for dental treatment and use of oral health services and several demographic variables. Frequency tables were computed and analyzed. Odds ratios were calculated based on 2 x 2 tables and logistic regression models. The majority, 82% (95% CI: 79-85%) had sought treatment due to pain or for tooth extraction. Perceived need, dissatisfaction with own oral health status and use of oral health services were slightly more frequent among women. Bleeding gums had no explanatory value on the dependent variables. The strongest explanatory variable in a logistic regression model for perceived need and dissatisfaction with own oral health status was previous dental treatment with an estimated odds ratio of 6.4 (95% CI: 4.7-8.7) and 7.2 (95% CI: 5.3-9.9), respectively. People living nearest a treatment facility tended to use the services more [odds ratio 1.3 (95% CI: 0.8-2.1)]. A very strong relation between previous dental problems and use of oral health services was found, namely an odds ratio of 68.8 (95% CI: 39.0-121.4). The findings in the study may be useful in the attempts to implement Tanzania's National Plan for Oral Health.

In this report on the findings of a baseline study designed to monitor changes in the prevalence of dental caries in 12-yr-old children in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, the details relating to the pattern of carious attack on particular tooth and surface types are described. In both populations molars accounted for over 90% of all affected teeth and in both groups first molars were more affected than second molars. Very few anterior teeth were affected in either population, though caries of the incisors and canines accounted for a greater proportion of affected teeth in Nairobi (3.4%) than in Dar es Salaam (0.6%). Significantly more mandibular first and second molars were affected in Dar es Salaam than in Nairobi, though in Nairobi the maxillary first molars were more affected than in Dar es Salaam. Occlusal surfaces were the most common site for caries in both populations. With the exception of buccal surfaces, smooth surface caries tended to be higher in Nairobi than in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam children had, however, a significantly higher mean DFS score for occlusal surfaces. The preponderance of occlusal caries indicates that relatively simple restorative care is required to meet the needs of the two populations, and it is suggested that such care could be largely provided by auxiliary dental personnel.