SUVA, Fiji: A new oral health survey is being conducted by the Fiji Ministry of Health to re-evaluate the prevalence of dental diseases on the islands. Over the next few weeks, dental checks will be conducted on and questionnaires distributed to 6,000 individuals from different parts of the country in collaboration with the Fiji National University in the capital Suva, the ministry said.

The last two surveys, done in 1998 and 2004, revealed that dental diseases like caries and periodontal disease plague the majority of Fijians, especially young children and adolescents. It also found that one in ten adults had decayed, missing or filled teeth. According to the ministry, the initial results of the new survey are expected to be released early next year.