Is Socio-economic Status Associated with Oral Healthcare Utilisation and Dental Health among Female Cancer Survivors? A Cross-sectional Study from Southern Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer patients are more prone to dental caries. Exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, leads to hypofunction of salivary glands and consequently increases dental caries. A considerable number of cancer survivors are exposed to a heavy economic burden imposed by the disease. Aim: To study the effects of Socio-economic Status (SES) on oral health and the utilisation of Oral Healthcare (OHC) services among female cancer survivors in Iran. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to October 2019 on 200 female cancer patients. Proportion of dental caries, OHC services utilisation, and SES were assessed in participants older than 18 years, who visited Shiraz cancer clinics at Shiraz, Iran. The data on OHC utilisation and SES among individuals were collected using the questionnaires by face to face interviews and oral examinations. Pearson’s Chi- squared test, the independent samples t-test, and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Results: Total of 200 female cancer patients were included and the median age was 49 years. Filled Teeth (FT) and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) (Poisson Regression (PR): 1.64, p-value <0.001; and PR: 1.11, p-value 0.04 in respect) were significantly higher; while, Decayed Teeth (DT) (PR: 0.80, p-value 0.03) and Missing Teeth (MT) (PR: 0.69, p-value <0.001) were significantly lower, in higher levels of SES. Hundred and fourteen participants had at least one dental visit during the previous year. SES did not affected having a dental visit in the previous year (p-value 0.6). Conclusion: Among female cancer survivors, SES was associated with oral health and was not a determinant for the rate of utilised OHC services. Treatment in comparison with prevention/regular dental check-ups was the most prevalent reason for the last dental visit.