Objectives To assess the prevalence of lower urinary status (as measured by the VAS) decreased as urinary symptom severity increased, and the greater the severtract symptoms (LUTS) in a community-based population in the UK, to measure the impact of these ity, the more men who reported a problem with mobility, self-care, usual activity, pain/discomfort, and symptoms on quality of life and health status in men with self-reported 'benign prostatic hyperplasia' anxiety/depression (the five domains of the EQ-5D).The possibility of symptoms worsening appeared to be ('BPH'), and to evaluate health-seeking behaviour in this population.the key determinant in the respondents' decisions to consult a medical professional for their LUTS. Less Subjects and methods A postal survey was distributed to an age-stratified random sample of 1500 men aged than 11% of the respondents were aware of the availability of specific prescription drug therapies or 50 years or older from throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The self-administered survey included:surgical options for the treatment of 'BPH'. The most common first treatment strategy for those consulting demographic questions; the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) instrument, consisting of a health-status index questionfor symptoms was watchful waiting (34%), followed by surgery (30%) and prescription drugs (21%). naire and a visual analogue scale (VAS) on which participants rated their current health status; the Conclusions Moderate-to-severe LUTS were relatively common in this UK population of men over the age International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire; and a questionnaire assessing the participants' of 50, yet relatively few had been diagnosed with 'BPH'. As LUTS adversely aCect quality of life, health-seeking behaviour and awareness of BPH. Results Responses to the survey were received from improved treatment options and increased public awareness of BPH and LUTS are needed to combat a 1115 (74%) of the 1500 men. Overall, 41% (450/ 1088) had an IPSS of Á8, indicating moderate-toproblem facing the growing number of elderly men in the population. severe LUTS, yet only 196 men (18%) reported that they had been diagnosed with 'BPH'. Both quality of Keywords Benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, quality of life, prevalence, treatment life (as measured by the EQ-5D) and general health lence of BPH in the community is diBcult to determine,

Over three-quarters of mothers had finished their full-time education at or before the age of 16 years. Although generally well-informed about the causes of caries, mothers were less sure of preventative methods. There was a widespread ignorance of the causes and prevention of periodontal disease, with just under half of the sample being unable to identify any causative or preventive factors. 40% of the sample admitted to attending a dentist only when in pain or not at all.

27% of mothers recalled receiving advice from their dentist about dental care during their pregnancy. With regard to their child's oral health, 48% had received dietary advice and 31% oral hygiene advice from the same source. All children lived in areas with suboptimal water fluoride levels; 27% of mothers had been advised by their dentist to give their child fluoride supplements. Few of the mothers recalled receiving advice about oral health from their health visitor.