[The oro-dental status of a population of school children in the southeast of France].

This cross-sectional investigation, part of a national epidemiological survey, studied the oral conditions of schoolchildren, aged 6 to 15 years, of the South East of France. This region is mainly urban and the drinking water has a low fluoride content. The highest dft and dfs indices were observed respectively at 6 and 8 years from when they decreased. The DMFT and DMFS indices increased progressively from 6 years on. This study confirmed a North-South difference in caries prevalence since the observed values of the caries indices were similar to those of other mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy. The observed caries indices were higher than the mean indices of France and the rest of Europe. This South East region of France therefore needs special care from the dental profession and the french authorities.