The Impact of the Socioeconomic Background and Dental Service Deficit on Oral Health of the Population in High Mountainous Regions of Georgia

Abstract

In Georgia, particularly in the population of its high mountainous regions, the dental diseases still remain to be an actual
issue. It is not yet established the structure of the dental diseases, the prevalence of general diseases and their causing
reasons. The study was performed in high mountainous regions of Georgia, namely in Svaneti, Racha and high mountainous villages of Samegrelo. All in all, 614 people were investigated (in Svaneti – 208, Racha – 202, Samegrelo – 204
people) in 5 age groups, as delivered by the International Organization of Health: (35 – 44y.o.) – 221 people, (45 –
54y.o.) – 152 people, (55 – 64y.o.) – 124 people, (65 – 74y.o.) – 66 people, (74 – 85y.o.) – 51 people. On the whole,
269 men and 345 women were investigated. The population Survey and dentistry investigation have been performed.
The sociological questionnaire, made by us, consisted of questions to detect the risk factors: social status and financial
income of the family, presence of some diseases, people’s attitude towards the habits of oral hygiene (cleaning teeth,
usage of dental floss and oral rinse), affordability of dentistry, dental activity of the population, smoking, consumption
of meat, milk and other products. The dentistry status of the population was assessed on the basis of the WHO methodology. The oral cavity investigation was performed in natural lighting conditions, using the dentistry mirror, dental zond
and parodontal zond (CPI) (to measure the parodontal pockets). We performed the Caries diagnosing and registration
using DMFT index, stated by the WHO that means the sum of the caries, extracted and filled teeth. As the result of investigation of three regions, we found that the caries spread and intensity is extremely high. The inhabitants of lower
Svaneti region indicated that there were no dentistry institutions in villages. Furthermore, there was also the deficit of
service and in case of pain they had to visit the Imereti or Tbilisi that is linked with the financial and time problems. The
same reason was in Racha, namely in Ambrolauri and Samegrelo. According to the results, the low socio-economic
background and absence of services in high mountainous regions significantly affects the oral diseases.