[The caries occurrence in schoolchildren of the city of Zurich in 1970-1993. A view of prevention in new immigrants].

Surveys of dental caries prevalence were carried out from 1970-1993 in schoolchildren of the city of Zurich. DMFT experience declined by 68 to 80%, while the average dmft decreased by 48-53% (ages 7 to 9). From 1988 to 1993, the average DMFT decreased further in the age group of 12- and 14-year-olds; in the ages 7 to 10, however, neither the DMFT nor the dmft showed a decline. In children who had of late immigrated, DMF levels were 2 to 3 times higher than in the children holding Swiss citizenship.