A survey of the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease was carried out in 826 individuals residing in Central and Western Bangladesh. The survey included 6, 12, 18 and 35-45 year olds in privileged and slum urban areas as well as in rural areas. Dmft, DMFT and CPITN indices were used. The results showed that the highest mean dmft-values were found in urban privileged children (5.0). The mean DMFT-values ranged from 1.1 (urban privileged 6 year olds) to 4.7 (rural 34-45 year olds). The percentage of 12 year old children affected by caries was higher than in the 18 and 35-45 year olds in all socioeconomic groups. No statistically significant differences were found in the mean DMFT values within the age groups between urban privileged, urban slum and rural people. There was a high prevalence of bleeding on probing and of calculus in all age groups. Except for the 6 year olds, less than 10% in all age groups had a healthy periodontium. In the 18 year olds, shallow pockets were found in 34% of the urban slum group and in 42% of the rural group, but not in the urban privileged group. Deep pockets (greater than 6 mm) were found in the 18 and 35-45 year olds, except in the urban privileged groups.