[The dental component of the integrated program of preventing chronic noninfectious diseases in the Latvian SSR. I. Epidemiologic study of dental caries and periodontal diseases in the whole population of the Latvian SSR].

The frequency and severity of dental caries and periodontal diseases among the population of the Latvian SSR, as well as the risk factors which contribute to the development of these morbid processes were studied. It was found that dental caries are present in 98 per cent of pupils aged 12 years, the CFE index (Caries Filling Extraction Index) representing 6.7. Among adolescent aged 15 years, a healthy periodontium and a good hygienic state of the oral cavity were found only in 2 per cent. Taking into account the high frequency of these diseases, the primary prophylaxis programme of dental caries and periodontopathies was included as a component in the integrated WHO programme of prevention and control of noninfectious chronic diseases in the Latvian SSR.