More Children Free Of Caries, More Adults Retain Full Set Of Teeth

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Oral health measures taken by the government have increased the number of children without caries or tooth decay while more adults are able to retain their teeth for a longer time.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Abd Latiff Ahmad said the measures taken under the 10-year National Oral Health Plan launched five years ago succeeded in doubling the number of 6-year-old children without caries to nearly 40 per cent in 2005 from about 20 per cent in 1997.
He said the number exceeded the plan's target of 30 per cent.
Students aged 16 years also improved their oral health with 46 per cent free of caries against the plan's 40 per cent target, he said when opening a conference to review the plan at the Health Management Institute here Monday.
He said students aged 12 without caries also rose to 58 per cent from 40 per cent in 1997, almost hitting the plan's target of 60 per cent by 2010.
Latiff said the oral health measures taken over the years had benefited adults in the 35 to 44 age category, most of whom have retained their full set of teeth.