Abstract
Background: Oral health conditions have been investigated in 35-year-old Oslo citizens in four cross-sectional, age-specific epidemiological studies performed in 1973, 1984, 1993 and 2003. The main aim of the series of investigations was to monitor changes in oral health, including dental caries and endodontic and periodontal conditions. Data will give clues to what extent the documented improvements in oral health among children and adolescents also have been maintained into adulthood.Methods: Random samples of 200-250 35-year-olds were selected from The Norwegian Bureau of Statistics database and invited to participate. They completed a self administered questionnaire and were examined clinically and radiographically. The attendance rate varied between 64% and 80%.Findings: The results presented are based on time-trend analyses. Caries prevalence, measured as the mean DMFS scores, was high and stable from 1973 (DMFS=68.2) to 1984 (DMFS=66.5), but decreased from 1984 (DMFS=40.9) to 2003 (DMFS=26.1), indicating a 62% reduction in caries and treatment experience. During the whole period, the prevalence of root filled teeth and prevalence of apical periodontitis decreased, but no improvement from 1993 to 2003 could be demonstrated. Assessment of periodontal status showed that the proportion of persons with one or more periodontal pockets ≥6mm decreased from 22% in 1984 to 8% in 2003. The proportion of persons without recorded bone loss increased from 46% in 1973 to 76% in 2003. The oral hygiene improved from 1973 to 1993 with no further improvement during the last decennium.Conclusion: There has been a positive development in oral health among young, urban adults in Norway during the last 30 years.In the present paper, information from the first author’s PhD-thesis (1) is extensively used
Highlights
Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide [2]
The results of the present study indicate a substantial improvement in dental caries over the 30-year period [31]
Since non-Western immigrants had a significantly lower mean DMFS (16.0) and FS-scores (6.4) compared to the rest of the sample, in 2003 this group was excluded from the comparisons with the previous studies [31]
Summary
Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide [2]. Just over a half century ago dental caries was considered a major dental health problem, widespread in the Western countries including Norway and causing discomfort, pain and tooth loss across all age groups. During the last decades a substantial reduction in prevalence of dental caries has occurred, especially among children and adolescents, and the changes are well documented [3,4,5]. Prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases, together with dental caries, are important indicators when assessing dental health in different populations. The main aim of the series of investigations was to monitor changes in oral health, including dental caries and endodontic and periodontal conditions. Methods: Random samples of 200-250 35-year-olds were selected from The Norwegian Bureau of Statistics database and invited to participate. They completed a self administered questionnaire and were examined clinically and radiographically. Conclusion: There has been a positive development in oral health among young, urban adults in Norway during the last 30 years
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
