Female gender is associated with dental care and dental hygiene, but not with complete dentition in the Swiss adult population

Abstract

Aim Little is known about the impact of gender on oral health, besides the influence of reproductive factors on female dentition. The aim of this study was to analyse gender differences with regard to oral health and oral health behaviour in the Swiss adult population, using data from the Swiss Health Survey of 2002. Subjects and methods The Swiss Health Survey regularly collects detailed information on health and health determinants of a random sample of the Swiss population aged 15 years and older. A written questionnaire including items on oral health was filled in by 7,115 men and 9,026 women in 2002. Weighted prevalence rates were calculated, and multivariate logistic regression analyses used to evaluate the role of gender for complete and functional dentition and for oral health behaviour. Finally, the multivariate model was stratified for men and women and run for the outcome "complete dentition". Results Women had a higher prevalence of visits to the dentist in the last 12 months (64% versus 60% men), of visits to dental hygienists (39% versus 34%), and of frequent tooth brushing (several times a day) (82% versus 66%). Adjusting for preventive behaviour, sociodemographic and socio-economic variables in multivariate analyses, female gender was positively associated with the prevalence of visits to the dentist (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24-1.43) and of frequent tooth brushing several times a day (OR 2.57, 95% CI 2.36-2.79), but not with complete dentition (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.93-1.09). In the stratified analysis, associations of complete dentition with socioeconomic status, oral hygiene and preventive behaviour were stronger in men than in women. Conclusion Gender plays an important role in oral health. Adult women report a more pronounced preventive oral health behaviour than men; their dentition, however, is not more often complete. Mechanisms involved in women's oral health are probably more complex than those underlying men's oral health. An in-depth gender analysis is needed to shed more light upon this issue.

Predictors of dental care utilization among working poor Canadians

“…This study contributes to the existing literature by identifying both recognized predisposing and enabling predictors of dental utilization and unique vulnerabilities for working poor Canadians. In support of previous studies, predisposing characteristics were predictive of dental utilization (38). Male working poor persons were more likely than females to have not visited the dentist visit within the past year even after adjusting for enabling resources and need factors.…”

Oral health-related quality of life and oral status in a German working population

“…In previous studies, associations between subjective oral health and several clinical and sociodemographic variables have been found. In preparation of this study the literature was screened for variables that might have a potential influence on OHRQoL (Table 1) (1, 5, 7–30). The results are diverse regarding the influence on OHRQoL of demographic factors, such as gender, age, and education.…”

Sex Differences in Destructive Periodontal Disease: Exploring the Biologic Basis

“…Sex differences in disease often parallel the exposure to modifiable risk factors (e.g., the sex difference in prevalence of lung cancer and cigarette smoking). Numerous authors have attributed the higher risk for periodontal breakdown in men to a differential exposure to modifiable environmental risk factors 6‐8 . Sex‐specific differences in such modifiable risk factors may contribute to differences in prevalence of periodontal disease.…”

“…Numerous authors have attributed the higher risk for periodontal breakdown in men to a differential exposure to modifiable environmental risk factors. [6][7][8] Sex-specific differences in such modifiable risk factors may contribute to differences in prevalence of periodontal disease. For example, poor oral hygiene effectiveness is correlated with more extensive and severe periodontal disease and greater tooth loss; notable, therefore, is that men often exhibit higher levels of plaque.…”