September 2018

Volume 35, Issue 3

Social gradient in caries experience of Belgian adults 2010

Authors: Lambert M De Reu G De Visschere L Declerck D Bottenberg P Vanobbergen J
doi: 10.1922/CDH_4254Lambert07

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the caries experience of the Belgian population in relation to social indicators. Basic research design: Data collection (2009-2010) consisted of an oral health questionnaire and examination during a home visit. Participants: Representative sample of the Belgian population (>5 years old). Only the economically active population was included for final analyses. Main outcome measures: ANOVA and multivariable regression analyses were used to reveal associations between social indicators, oral hygiene, untreated decay, DMFT and edentulousness. Results: 2742 participants completed the questionnaire, of whom 2563 were examined clinically. Most (53%) were female and mean age was 43.3 years (95% CI= 41.2-45.4). In the total population, 11.1 % were caries-free (DMFT = 0) and mean DMFT was 10.8 (95% CI = 10.0-11.5). In the analysed subsample, higher educated participants had lower DMFT scores than those with low or no educational qualifications (p = 0.003). Employment status was associated with the presence of untreated tooth decay, especially in the youngest age group (p = 0.015), and with edentulousness (p = 0.02), with a higher risk among unemployed women of being completely edentulous (OR = 5.32; 95% CI = 1.75-16.12). Untreated tooth decay was related to frequency of tooth brushing and plaque index (p < 0.002 and < 0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Caries experience in Belgium, expressed as mean DMFT and proportion of untreated tooth decay, is more associated with level of education and employment status than with family income, which is still the main criterion for larger government allowances for healthcare in Belgium. Key words: Dental caries (MeSH), Epidemiology (MeSH), Social Determinants of Health (MeSH), Adult (MeSH), Socioeconomic Factors (MeSH)

Download

Other articles in this issue

Article Pages Access
A UK and Partisan view of Brexit and Dental Public Health 130-131 Download
Dental Public Health in Action: Putting oral health on the local public health agenda 132-135 Download
Dental Public Health In Action: Barriers to oral healthcare provision for older people in residential and nursing care homes: A mixed method evaluation and strategy development in County Durham, North East England 136-139 Download
Confirmatory factor analysis of the health literacy in dentistry scale (HeLD) in the Australian population 140-147 Download
The relationships among consumption of fruits, tooth loss and obesity 148-152 Download
School-based oral health education increases caries inequalities 153-159 Download
Social gradient in caries experience of Belgian adults 2010 160-166 Download
Patients’ willingness to pay for dental services in a population with limited restorative services 167-172 Download
Oral health behaviours and oral health-related dietary behaviours: The interrelationship and determinants by latent class analysis 173-178 Download
Depressive symptoms and untreated coronal dental caries among adults ages 21-64 years, NHANES 2013-2014 179-185 Download
Fluoride content of toothpastes available in South Africa 186-192 Download

Subscribe

Online (Single user only)
£150
Institution Online (IP address validation)
£250

Back issues may be obtained from the publisher

Consider recommending subscription to your institution's library

You can view Open Access papers without a subscription.