Abstract
BackgroundLimited information on oral health status for young adults aged 18 year-olds is known, and no available data exists in Hong Kong. The aims of this study were to investigate the oral health status and its risk indicators among young adults in Hong Kong using negative binomial regression.MethodsA survey was conducted in a representative sample of Hong Kong young adults aged 18 years. Clinical examinations were taken to assess oral health status using DMFT index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) according to WHO criteria. Negative binomial regressions for DMFT score and the number of sextants with healthy gums were performed to identify the risk indicators of oral health status.ResultsA total of 324 young adults were examined. Prevalence of dental caries experience among the subjects was 59% and the overall mean DMFT score was 1.4. Most subjects (95%) had a score of 2 as their highest CPI score. Negative binomial regression analyses revealed that subjects who had a dental visit within 3 years had significantly higher DMFT scores (IRR = 1.68, p < 0.001). Subjects who brushed their teeth more frequently (IRR = 1.93, p < 0.001) and those with better dental knowledge (IRR = 1.09, p = 0.002) had significantly more sextants with healthy gums.ConclusionsDental caries experience of the young adults aged 18 years in Hong Kong was not high but their periodontal condition was unsatisfactory. Their oral health status was related to their dental visit behavior, oral hygiene habit, and oral health knowledge.
Highlights
Limited information on oral health status for young adults aged 18 year-olds is known, and no available data exists in Hong Kong
Studies with comprehensive profile of this population group with the intension to explore the risk indicators or factors of dental caries and periodontal disease are rare and no such comprehensive data is available in Hong Kong
The follow-up rate was not high (50.8%), a comparison of the socio-demographic background and baseline oral health status (DMFT score and highest Community Periodontal Index (CPI) score) of the subjects who were followed up and those who were lost to follow-up was made and no statistically significant differences was found between these two groups [25]
Summary
Limited information on oral health status for young adults aged 18 year-olds is known, and no available data exists in Hong Kong. The DMF/dmf index, a measure of cumulative caries experience of the teeth or surfaces, has been recommended by World Health Organization [1] and is widely used in dental research. This gives rise to count data that are commonly collected in medical and dental research. The standard assumption of normality cannot be held for such data, even with data transformation Such count data have erroneously been treated as ratio data, and multiple linear regressions using ordinary least square regression based on normal distribution have been inappropriately used for quite a long time [13]. The use of ordinary least square regression may be potentially biased leading to invalid findings [14], it is important to analyze such count data using appropriate statistical models
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
