Abstract
BackgroundTo examine the association between oral health and general well-being, we are currently conducting a nationwide cohort study comprising members of the Japan Dental Association (JDA). Herein, we describe the study design and the profile of the participants at baseline.MethodsFrom 2001 through 2006, the participants completed a baseline questionnaire that surveyed factors related to lifestyle, general health, and oral health. Morbidity and mortality have been monitored by using information from fraternal insurance programs operated by prefectural dental associations. All respondents provided written, informed consent for participation and the use of their insurance data.ResultsA total of 21 272 JDA members participated in the baseline survey (response rate, 36.2%). Their mean age ± SD was 52.3 ± 12.3 years; 8.0% were women. Among the respondents, 30.2% of men and 10.7% of women were current smokers; 73.5% of men and 44.8% of women were current drinkers. The cohort scored higher on oral health indices than did the general Japanese population: dentists were more likely to brush their teeth ≥3 times/day, to have ≥20 teeth, to have fewer lost teeth, to be free from periodontal diseases, and to have higher General Oral Health Assessment Index scores. There was, however, considerable inter-individual variation in scores on the indices.ConclusionsMore than one-third of JDA members participated in the study. Their oral average health status was better than that of the general population. Nevertheless, it will be possible to compare morbidity and mortality between those with better and worse scores on oral health indices.
Highlights
Oral health is known to be related to systemic diseases.[1]
The oral health factors included in the questionnaire included oral hygienic routines, such as frequency of brushing, flossing, and scaling; number of teeth lost; use of dentures; dental examination chart; periodontal status classified according to the criteria of the Community Periodontal Index (CPI)[19,20]; history of periodontal diseases with pockets ≥4 mm; and oral health-related quality of life (QOL), as determined by using the Japanese version of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI)
The questionnaire was delivered to 58 792 Japan Dental Association (JDA) members, 22 415 of whom returned it to the study office
Summary
Oral health is known to be related to systemic diseases.[1]. Tooth loss may result in an unbalanced diet,[2,3,4] which in turn may lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The associations of periodontal disease and tooth loss with the incidence of systemic diseases, cardiovascular disease[8,10] and cancers,[8,11] and with total mortality[8,9] have been examined in case-control and cohort studies, but the results were inconsistent. Results: A total of 21 272 JDA members participated in the baseline survey (response rate, 36.2%). Their mean age ± SD was 52.3 ± 12.3 years; 8.0% were women. Conclusions: More than one-third of JDA members participated in the study Their oral average health status was better than that of the general population. It will be possible to compare morbidity and mortality between those with better and worse scores on oral health indices
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