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Originally Posted by Ustwo
The mean dmft (2.9) of preschool children aged 3-7 years in the Murtomaa study and the mean decayed, extracted filled primary teeth (deft) in children aged 4 years of the 1993 national study (4.6) are higher than rates in the Nordic countries in general, where the mean dmft scores vary between 0.3 and 2.1 [9-13]. Iceland is an exception, with mean dmft scores of 2.4-4.1 for 4- to 6-year-olds [14,15]
Translation, Iceland has more cavities in children than the other Nordic countries.
Note, in young children social practices have a bigger influence than fluoridation, (such as baby bottle carries which are a problem in the US and England) and genetics too play a part. Iceland is so homogeneous genetically it makes the Swedes look diverse and I'd not be shocked to find out that Icelandic children have similar dmft scores if they move outside of Iceland.
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Interesting. I must admit, I don't know anything about children's cavity rates, but all the old people I know in Iceland seem to still have their own teeth (no dentures)... so that's the knowledge I'm operating under for my assessment.
It should also be noted that dental care is not covered by the state system, nor is it included on insurance policies... so everyone has to pay out of pocked for all dental costs. Of course, the rates are cheaper than in the US, but it inhibits a LOT of people from getting dental treatment on a regular basis. I know that Icelandic children have been reported in the news here as very rarely being taken to the dentist (due to cost), which would most definitely influence the statistics you cite, Ustwo.
But you're definitely right about the homogeneity of this place. I'm lucky that my father branched out.
