Dental caries among a group of Greek children

Abstract

In numerous studies that have been made of the dental system of ancient skeletal material of primitive peoples and of ex­ isting isolated native races and tribes in various parts of the world, it has been observed that, despite the variety of their origin and the difference in the kind of diet consumed, the incidence of dental caries is low. In an effort to explain this phenome­ non, a study has been carried on since 1949 in which a detailed examination has been made o f the teeth and investing bone in skeletal material recovered from the archeological excavations in Greece and preserved in various museums. Thorough visual and roentgenographic examinations were made, supplemented by scale photographs.1 This study con­ tinues and is being extended to all ancient anthropological material available in Greece. During the course of this study, it was learned that there was a completely iso­ lated place in Greece where the living conditions and diet consumed were primi­ tive and where there was a total absence of dental or medical care for the inhabi­ tants. Consequently it was decided to make an investigation, the main purpose of which was to study the dental condi­ tion o f the inhabitants who had re­ mained in the village from the time of birth up to the day of the examination. The town, named Kitta, is a principal village in the province of Mani. It has an altitude of 200 meters and lies in the southern extremity of continental Greece. It is three miles northward from the sea and a four to five hour walk from the nearest town. T o reach Kitta it is necessary either to walk or to go on mule back, riding through almost inac­ cessible paths. Kitta is known for its dry climate, the amount of sunshine, its frequent strong winds, sparse vegetation, and for its in­ frequent rains. The only water available in this region is rain water which is col­ lected and stored in cisterns especially made for this purpose. In order to de­ termine the fluoride content of this water, two samples were taken. It was found to be 0.03 ppm. The analysis was performed by C. Tzoumerkas, chemist of the Societe des Eaux des Villes d’Athenes-Piree et Environs, by means of color standards. The tests were performed in the purification plant laboratories of the Societe according to standard methods.2 There are approximately 200 inhabi­ tants in the village of Kitta, mostly chil­ dren and old people. Because of the bar-