The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Dental Caries Among Adults in India: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: It is well documented that India is an example of the unequal distribution of dental caries among different population groups, as higher prevalence and incidence have been reported among people with a low socioeconomic level. The objective of this review was to systematically map the scientific literature on the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on dental caries among adults, identify the research gaps in this area, and propose recommendations for future research. Methods: This scoping review was conducted based on the updated framework recommended by Joanna Briggs Institute. Relevant studies undertaken in India were identified by searching Medline/PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. The search strategy was limited to journal articles published between January 2012 and October 2022. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full texts were reviewed by two reviewers independently. Results: The scoping review comprised 7 cross-sectional studies and 1 cohort study. Most reviewed studies used the Kuppuswamy scale or its modifications to assess the SES. Four studies determined the caries status regarding mean values according to SES and reported higher DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) among the middle and lower-class SES. Three studies employed regression analysis to determine the association, and all found that the DMFT score was significantly associated with socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The findings of this review confirm the existence of inequalities in caries experience in adults from different socioeconomic backgrounds. More high-quality and follow-up studies are needed to establish the magnitude of the scientific evidence regarding the association between socioeconomic status and dental caries among adults in India.