An Investigation on Oral Health Status of 480 Lahu People in Lincang，Yunnan

［Abstract］Objective　To provide guidance for oral health prevention by investigating oral health status of 480 Lahu people．Methods　Oral health status of 480 Lahu people were investigated by trained dental therapists using standard diagnostic criteria and record. Participants were divided into 4 groups according to their age. Results　The Lahu People in Linxiang county suffered from severe dental caries and periodontal disease. The caries prevalence rate among children of 5 years old was 78.3%. The rate of calculus among the children of 12 years old was 75%. The prevalence rates of caries and periodontal pockets were 91.7% and 43.3% among the adults between 35 and 44 years old. The above data were significantly higher than the results of the Third National Oral Health Survey. The rates of gingival bleeding and periodontal pocket were 51.7% and 49.2% among the aged from 65 to 74 years old， which were lower than that of the Third National Oral Health Survey. Among the participants，76% never brushed teeth and 85% brushed teeth only once a day in people who brushed teeth regularly. Conclusion　Poor status and maintenance of oral health in the Lahu People suggest that education and resources for oral health should be invested.