Oral conditions of inhabitants in Tokashiki Island, Okinawa

Abstract

The Department of Health of Okinawa Prefecture with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and eight Dental Schools in Japan, is performing dental treatment and oral health care on inhabitants in areas of Okinawa where no dentists are present. We were asked to offer dental treatment and oral health care for the inhabitants of Tokashiki Island, Okinawa from June 30 to July 29, 1997. The DMF rates of school children of Tokashiki Island was much higher than the average rates in Japan. Among the treatment procedures, conservative treatment was 72.5%, most of which was composite resin filling. Most middle-aged persons had severe periodontal disease rather than severe dental caries. Patients, who suffered from severe dental caries chose extraction of their teeth rather than conservative treatment. The denture wearers of Tokashiki Island used their dentures longer than those who visited our Prosthodontic Department. They were not necessarily dissatisfied with their dentures, but their alveolar ridges were absorbed extensively. These conditions could be due to not only patients' consciousness but also the lack of dental hygiene education. It seems that primary prevention and higher dental hygiene education are needed for the inhabitants of Tokashiki Island where dental treatment must be done in a short time.