Dental Health Epidemiology Among Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Recruits

An epidemiological survey for prevalence description of dental morbidity (caries, gingivitis, dental trauma and fluorosis) among Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general recruits. Morbidity measures were collected from 700 recruits at their first day of military service in order to evaluate extent and burden of dental diseases among recruits. The data will enable the military dental services commanders to plan and implement dental services according to the dental needs.

Caries, gingivitis, dental trauma and fluorosis epidemiological measures were collected among IDF recruits in 700 sample using short clinical evaluation without radiographs. water fluoridation ecological data will be obtained from the ministry of health. the results might impact dental services plan, professional manpower system, and the layout of the dental clinics in the IDF. It will give the professionals in the military dental services an evidence based data for planning an accurate primary and secondary prevention programs and an evaluation of dental diseases burden in order to have the "full picture" of recruits dental needs. .