Caries experience among 45–54 year olds in Adelaide, South Australia

Abstract

Background: Middle-aged adults are an important focus of dental policy with increasing retention of teeth and use of dental services. The aims of the study were to describe the caries experience of 45-54 year olds by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status. Methods: A random sample of 45-54 year olds from Adelaide, South Australia was surveyed by selfcomplete questionnaire during 2004-2005 with up to four follow-up mailings to non-respondents (n = 879, response rate = 43.8 per cent). Oral examinations were performed by calibrated dentists on 709 persons (completion rate = 80.7 per cent). Results: The mean number (95% CI) of decayed teeth was 0.39 (0.31-0.47), with 5.25 (4.92-5.58) missing teeth, 11.0 (10.62-11.32) filled teeth, and DMFT was 16.61 (16.21-17.01). Multivariate regressions of caries experience by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status found: time since last visit of less than 12 months was related (P<0.05) to fewer decayed teeth (␤ = -0.40), more filled teeth (␤ = 1.55) and a higher DMFT (␤ = 1.24); a last visit for relief of pain was related to more decayed teeth (␤ = 0.56); tooth brushing 8+ times per week was related to fewer decayed (␤ = -0.36), and missing teeth (␤ = -1.13), and lower DMFT (␤ = -1.58); not cleaning between teeth was related to more missing teeth (␤ = 0.94); males had fewer missing teeth (␤ = -0.76); having a diploma/degree was related to fewer missing teeth (␤ = -1.07) and lower DMFT (␤ = -1.27); card holder status was related to more missing teeth (␤ = 1.26); and household income of $80 000+ was related to fewer missing teeth (␤ = -0.96) and a lower DMFT (␤ = -1.35). Conclusions: Dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status were all related to caries experience. Overall DMFT was lower for those who brushed more frequently, had higher levels of education and higher household income.

Dental knowledge and oral health among middle‐aged adults

“…Some key demographic characteristics from the Census showed a close approximation to that observed in the study. 10,11 Comparison with other sample data showed a range of generally small differences between these data and the study participants, and reliability of the clinical measures was reported to be good to excellent.…”

“…10,11 The implications of a focus on individual knowledge and behaviour need to be considered cautiously. Lifestyle interventions have been criticised for their limited effectiveness in producing sustained improvements in oral health or for reducing oral health inequalities.…”

“…9 Despite the shift away from lifestyle explanations of oral health disparities, the association of dental behaviour with oral health has persisted. 10,11 The aims of the study were to assess the role of dental knowledge on oral health by examining whether the knowledge of behaviours related to the prevention of caries was associated with oral health, whether this dental knowledge was associated with sociodemographic characteristics, and if dental knowledge was associated with oral health, would the association persist after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.…”

Oral Health Status in Adult Population in Chile (Decayed, Missing, Filled and Permanent Tooth): Clinical Observation at National Level

“…For studies conducted in South Vietnam [7] and China [9], females had increased risk of caries lesions, greater chance for sealed and lower risk to being missing, in Bulgaria females had greater risk for missing teeth and filled teeth. The study in South Australia [11] (n= 709) found that males had fewer risk for missing teeth, unlike Brazil study [12] (n = 1159) where males had a greater risk for missing teeth and increased risk of carious lesions. The benefits in the oral health are directly reflected in better chewing ability of the adult population when the molars are presented [13].…”

Oral Health Profile in Iranian Armed Force: Focusing on Prevention Strategies

“…Sanders et al reported that dental missing increased with increasing age and associated with the people economic state (13). The DMFT index was related to healthy behavior, dental visits and income level in Australia (11) and France (14).…”