Adolescents are an important target group in caries epidemiology since they take care personally of their own dental igiene and their dental care is often irregular. Objectives: This study reports the results of a standardized clinical examinations carried out by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and Community Dentistry of the University of Milan over the adolescent population of Milan (Italy). A cross-sectional study with clustering samples was designed. Methods: Three secondary schools located in three different socio-economical and cultural areas of the town were chosen. 1333 students, 648 males (46.6%) 685 females (51.4%) age range 13-18 years were examined (acceptance rate ranged from 75 to 91%), DMFT, SiC and CPI indices were recorded following the WHO guidelines by three calibrated examiners. After parents consensus, examinations were performed at school under standardized conditions. An ad hoc questionnaire was submitted to the subjects to investigate their oral hygiene habits and how often they had dental check-ups. Results: Caries experience was detected in approximately 59% of the sample (95%CI 56.9% - 66.4%); a positive skewness of DMFT was observed: mean value±standard deviation DMFT=1.94±2.46, DT=0.61±1.30, MT=0.02±0.20, FT=1.31±2.03. SiC index was 4.78±2.24. The study show a significant linear trend (p<0.01) between odds ratios (OR) of caries experience and SiC experience and the socio-economical status, dental care and oral hygiene habits. CPI was statistically associated with the different socio-economical status attended. Conclusions: Adolescents in low-socio-economical school have higher caries prevalence and higher levels of untreated caries than their counterparts in medium-high socio-economical schools. The results enlighten the importance of comprehensive models of health care utilization in public health planning.

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