The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary status, prevalence of caries and the status of primary dentition, when primary teeth were exfoliated, in 41 patients, 18-24 years of age, with type 1 diabetes since childhood in comparison with age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls. The blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin concentration (HbA1c), dosage of daily insulin and retinal fundus photography was recorded for the diabetic group. According to the concentration of HbA1c, the diabetic patients were divided into well and poorly controlled groups. The study was based on three intra-oral photos, dental examination including intra-oral radiographs, flow rate and buffering capacity of the saliva and amount of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli. Retrospective data regarding the primary dentition was found in the dental files of each patient, and are based on the last registration for respective tooth before exfoliation. The patients with type 1 diabetes, without any relationship to metabolic control, displayed more initial buccal caries compared to healthy controls (p