Objectives: Oral health problems are an important component of the overall burden of morbidity, determining the health status of populations and their expenditure on care. This study aims thus to analyze, through a literature review, the main indicators of oral health in the Maghreb countries between 1990 and 2020.
Methodology: A bibliographic search was conducted during the month of October 2020 on three databases (Pubmed, Sciences Direct and Cochrane). A reading grid based on the STROBE criteria was used to evaluate the articles during critical reading.
Results: Of the 2492 references initially identified, 11 articles were selected after the critical reading. Analysis of the results revealed a high morbidity of oral diseases in the Maghreb countries dominated by dental caries and periodontal diseases with a major need for oral care. The prevalence of dental caries exceeded 50% in temporary dentition at 6 years age and 60% in permanent dentition at 12 years. For periodontal diseases, the prevalence exceeds 55% at 15 years age. In addition, inequalities in access to oral care between regions were noted.
Discussion: Oral health studies in the Maghreb are rare, old, and conducted at different times, making comparisons difficult between them. This study calls for regular national surveys for an objective and up-to-date assessment of the main epidemiological indicators. The development of an integrated strategy for the promotion of oral health is still a priority of national health systems in the Maghreb.