Oral health Surveys: Basic Methods

Basic oral health surveys provide a sound basis for estimating the present oral health status of a population and its future needs for oral health care. The methods described in the previous editions of this manual have been used by more than 100 healths administrations in conducting oral health surveys. The present edition takes account of the experience gained in these surveys. The present edition takes account of the experience gained in these surveys, as well as the dramatic changes that have occurred in the oral health status of many populations in the last ten years. In particular, it contains details of the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs, which has been adopted by both the World Health Organization and the International Dental Federation as the standard for collecting data on periodontal treatment needs of populations and for the planning and monitoring of oral health services.