Oral health is an integral part of general health and can significantly affect the quality of life [1, 2]. The prevalence of oral diseases is high and their impact on an individual and a community is significant [3]. Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases today, occurring in 60-90% of school children and many adults [1]. It should be noted that caries in children has not been completely eradicated, but has been put under control only to a certain extent [4]. Recent research has shown a significant improvement of dental health and decrease in caries prevalence in all age groups. However, dental caries is still the most frequent disease in adolescence [5]. Incomplete maturation of enamel, increasing number of surfaces susceptible to caries, external factors such as diet, poor oral hygiene and other social factors may also contribute to increased risk for caries in adolescents [6, 7]. In addition to dental caries, adolescence is critical period for periodontal health. Epidemiological and immunological data have indicated that irreversible damage of periodontal tissue begins in late adolescence and early youth [8]. Frequent occurrence of gingivitis in adolescents as compared to pre-pubertal children and adults has also been noticed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of caries and gingivitis in adolescents age 15 and 17-18 years in the municipality of Foca, Republika Srpska. MATERIAL AND METHODS The final year students from all five elementary schools (two urban and three from suburbs) and the only high school in the municipality of Foca were included in this cross-section study. All students present at the school on the day of the clinical trial were included in the study. There were 135 students (age 15) of primary school (the ninth grade) and 217 students (age 17-18) third and fourth grade of high school. Clinical examination was conducted in classrooms using dental mirrors, dental and periodontal probes under natural light and artificial lighting of the room. The incidence of dental caries was determined using DMFT index and its components (D-decayed, M-missing, F-filled teeth) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [9]. Periodontal tissue condition was determined using gingival index (GI) by Löe and Silness.
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