57. Sundsvold, E. Possible Preventive Strategies For Adoption in the West Bank. MSc Thesis in Dental Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of London, 1989, 170 pp.

An oral health survey was conducted in the West Bank during 1986-1987. Based on the results of the survey, some preventative strategies are suggested.

The feasibility of applying dental caries prevention in the West Bank is discussed in light of the general health conditions, health awareness of the population, sanitation, health services provision and the structure of the health care system in the West Bank. A sample of 314 patients attending the UPMRC mobile dental unit in nine communities was selected. The survey was conducted using the WHO oral health and treatment manual (1977).

A high incidence of dental caries was observed. The DMFT index for children under six years of age was 5.392, for children aged 6-14 years, it was 3.52 and for the age group of 15-18 years it was 7.422. Among patients aged less than 36 years, most of the oral defects were untreated. The D component was 5.314 for the under sixes, 3.266 for the age group of 6-14 years and 2.810 for the age group of 15-18 yea. Ninety-eight percent of the surveyed patients required periodontal treatment. Eighteen percent of the sample had some form of dentofacial anomalies and 76.4% of the sampled patients did not receive any form of dental care during the 12 months which preceded the survey.

The author concludes that the general dental awareness of the population was very low. Considering the general conditions in the area, a large increase in the number of highly trained personnel is not feasible. What is suggested instead is that dental health promotion be incorporated with general health care provision by training ancillary personnel and developing dental health education curricula for school children.