Self-reported Number Of Teeth Research Articles

Oral health-related quality of life in the Myanmar population: The first national oral health survey 2016 - 2017.

To describe the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and its potential influencing factors within the Myanmar population. Data were from the first national oral health survey, involving 3,513 participants aged 15-18 years, 35-44 years, and 60-74 years from 21 selected townships in Myanmar. Self-administered questionnaire-based surveys, conducted from December 2016 to January 2017, included socio-demographics, behavioral factors, self-reported oral conditions (number of teeth present, teeth and gingival conditions), and inquiries regarding OHRQoL (a set of 12 questions with 5 response options) using the recommended questions from WHO Oral Health Surveys. The most prevalent oral health issues were difficulties in chewing (32.2%) and biting foods (30.8%). In bivariate analysis, older individuals, rural residents, and participants with higher educational levels were associated with OHRQoL. In multiple regression analysis, self-reported number of teeth, teeth and gingival conditions were strong predictors of OHRQoL in all age groups. Self-rated oral health conditions predicted quality of life due to oral problems. The development of national oral health policies and strategies is imperative to facilitate early detection of oral health problems and promote the awareness of oral health importance.

The role of psychological distress in the relationship of financial strain with oral health and dental attendance in Dutch adults: A mediation analysis based on cross-sectional data.

The study aimed to assess whether psychological distress mediates the association between financial strain and oral health and dental attendance in the Dutch adult population. The study followed a cross-sectional design based on 2812 participants from the 2014 wave of the Dutch population-based GLOBE study. Financial strain was considered the exposure, while psychological distress measured with the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) was the mediator. The outcomes included self-reported number of teeth, self-rated oral health, and self-reported dental attendance. Generalized regression analyses were used for the mediation analysis adjusted for several covariables. Greater financial strain was significantly associated with poorer self-rated oral health (total effect: 0.09, 95%CI: 0.05; 0.14) and restorative or no dental attendance (i.e. participants never visiting a dentist or only visiting a dentist for regular treatments or when they have complaints with their mouth, teeth, or prosthesis) (total effect: 0.05, 95%CI: 0.02; 0.09). Greater financial strain was not significantly associated with self-reported number of teeth (total effect: -0.14, 95%CI: -0.91; 0.64). Psychological distress significantly mediated the association of financial strain with self-rated oral health (average causal mediation effect [ACME]: 0.02, 95%CI: 0.01; 0.03) and self-reported dental attendance (ACME: 0.01, 95%CI: 0.00; 0.02), respectively. However, it did not significantly mediate the association of financial strain with self-reported number of teeth (ACME: -0.11, 95%CI: -0.25; 0.02). The estimated proportion of the total effect of financial strain on self-rated oral health and self-reported dental attendance that could be explained by psychological distress was respectively 24% (95%CI: 14%; 48%) and 19% (95%CI: 6%; 62%). Psychological distress partly explains the association of financial strain with self-rated oral health and dental attendance, but not with self-reported number of teeth. Future studies using longitudinal data are necessary to confirm the results.

Self-Reported Oral Diseases and Their Association with the Frailty index among Older Japanese People: Four-Year Follow-Up.

Oral health is a relevant component for overall health. Oral disease onset at an early age and may harm several health dimensions, especially among older people, and has been associated with frailty. To evaluate associations between the Frailty Index (FI) and self-reported oral diseases among older, community-dwelling Japanese people. Cross-sectional and prospective analyses were performed. We analyzed data from 2,529 participants at the baseline and four-year follow-up of the Nihon University Japanese Longitudinal Study of Aging, which had a four-year follow-up. We used the self-reported number of teeth, self-reported satisfaction with dentures, and self-reported ability to chew hard food as independent variables. We computed an FI that included 40 deficits as the dependent variable. The FI score ranged from 0 to 1, with a higher score associated with adverse health outcomes and mortality. Considering a gamma distribution and controlling for age, gender, marital status, education, working status, and residence area, we fitted generalized linear models. We found that dissatisfied denture users had a 2.1% (95% CI 1.006-3.279) higher frailty score than non-denture users at the baseline and a 2.1% (95% CI 0.629-3.690) higher frailty score than non-denture users at the four-year follow-up. In the cross-sectional analysis, with each additional reported tooth at the baseline, the FI score was lower by 1.5% (95% CI -2.878 to -0.208) at the four-year follow-up. In both the cross-sectional and the prospective analyses, the FI scores increased as the ability to chew hard food decreased. Self-reported oral diseases are associated with the FI score cross-sectionally and prospectively. Identifying factors prospectively associated with frailty may improve strategies for the next generation of older people. Considering oral diseases may help clinicians personalize treatment plans for older people.

Validity of self-reported number of teeth among Saudi older adults: A public health perspective

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the agreement between self-reported and clinically measured numbers of teeth in older adults from Almadinah Almunawwarah, KSA, and to identify factors associated with self-reporting accuracy. MethodsThis study included 337 older adults (≥60 years). Participants completed a survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated oral and general health, and the self-reported number of teeth. Clinical examination was conducted using the 2013 criteria published by the World Health Organization. Bland–Altman plots and correlation coefficients were used to assess the agreement between self-reported and clinically measured teeth. ResultsThe mean age of the study participants was 67.1 (SD = 6.5) years, and the majority were males (71.2%). The self-reported teeth count was higher than the clinically measured number, and only 47.7% (n = 161) of the sample showed complete agreement between the two measures. The mean difference between the self-reported and clinically recorded number of teeth was 0.41 teeth, and almost two-thirds of the study participants reported their number of teeth within an error margin of two teeth (p < 0.001). Both Spearman's and Pearson's correlation methods revealed a significant positive correlation between the two measures. Specifically, the Spearman's rho was 0.91, while Pearson's r coefficient was 0.96. ConclusionAmong Saudi older adults, the self-reported number of teeth correlated with the clinically measured numbers of teeth. This suggests that self-reports can be a reliable and cost-effective method for assessing oral health in large-scale surveys, potentially guiding health policies and interventions for older adults.

Validity of self-reported oral conditions among Brazilian older women: Do socio-economic factors matter?

To validate the level of agreement between self-report and clinical examination for oral conditions and evaluate the effect of sociodemographic conditions on the validity of self-report among women aged 60 and older. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a social community center for seniors in Southern Brazil. Sociodemographic data (age, level of education, and income) were measured. Participants were interviewed and clinically examined for the number of teeth (DMF-T index) and the use of dental prostheses. The self-reported number of teeth in each arch and the use of dental prostheses were gathered through interviews. The level of agreement was estimated using the observed agreement, Kappa statistics, sensitivity/specificity (edentulism/prostheses) and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient, and related tests (number of teeth). The validity of the oral conditions was estimated according to sociodemographic information. Ninety-nine women participated in the study. High levels of agreement were observed for edentulism (97.8%; 95%CI 92.8;99.7; Kappa 0.947) and the use of dental prostheses (97.0%; 95%CI 91.3;99.4; Kappa 0.922). In both conditions, despite achieving similar concordance correlation coefficients (ranging from weak to moderate), the mean number of upper teeth was lower in clinical examination (7.1 ± 5.2) compared with self-reported (8.6 ± 3.6), while the opposite was observed for lower teeth (clinical examination: 9.1 ± 3.4; self-reported: 6.6 ± 5.3). Larger differences were found among women of low income and educational levels. Our findings suggest that the participants' socio-economic position might influence their self-reported number of teeth.

Tooth Loss Trajectories and Their Association with Functional Disability among Older Chinese Adults: Results from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Tooth loss becomes more prevalent with age and increases risk of functional disability. However, the strength of tooth loss varies between individuals rather than a uniform loss with age. We aimed to evaluate tooth loss trajectories and their association with functional disability among older Chinese adults. We included 16,209 participants aged ≥65 years from five waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2002-2014. The number of teeth, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental ADL (IADL) were assessed at baseline and subsequently every three years. ADL disability and IADL disability were defined as needing any help in any item of the Katz scale and a modified Lawton's scale, respectively. A group-based trajectory model was used to determine tooth loss trajectories based on the self-reported number of teeth and generalized estimating equation models were used to explore associations of tooth loss trajectories with ADL disability and IADL disability. This study identified four tooth loss trajectories, including Progressively Mild Loss (14.4%), Progressively Severe Loss (21.5%), Persistently Severe Loss (45.1%), and Edentulism (19.0%) among older Chinese adults. Compared with the Progressively Mild Loss trajectory, the Progressively Severe Loss (ADL disability: OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.15-1.84; IADL disability: OR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.47-1.99), Persistently Severe Loss (ADL disability: OR=2.33, 95% CI:1.93-2.82; IADL disability: OR=3.29, 95% CI: 2.82-3.84) and Edentulism (ADL disability: OR=3.25, 95% CI: 2.58-4.09; IADL disability: OR=3.60, 95% CI: 2.93-4.42) trajectories were significantly associated with an increased risk of functional disability with adjustment for potential confounders. Four distinct tooth loss trajectories were identified among older adults and those with severe tooth loss trajectories had an increased risk of functional disability than those with a mild loss trajectory.

The validity of self-reported number of teeth and edentulousness among Norwegian older adults, the HUNT Study

BackgroundNumber of teeth is an established indicator of oral health and is commonly self-reported in epidemiological studies due to the costly and labor-intensive nature of clinical examinations. Although previous studies have found self-reported number of teeth to be a reasonably accurate measure, its accuracy among older adults ≥ 70 years is less explored. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of self-reported number of teeth and edentulousness in older adults and to investigate factors that may affect the accuracy of self-reports.MethodsThis study included two different samples of older adults ≥ 70 years drawn from the fourth wave of the Trøndelag Health Study (the HUNT Study), Norway. Sample 1 (n = 586) was used to evaluate the validity of self-reported number of teeth and sample 2 (n = 518) was used to evaluate self-reported edentulousness. Information on number of teeth and background variables (education, smoking, cognitive function, and self-perceived general and oral health) were self-reported in questionnaires, while clinical oral health examinations assessed number of teeth, number of teeth restored or replaced by fixed prosthodontics and edentulousness. Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients, Bland–Altman plot, chi-square test and kappa statistics were used to assess the agreement between self-reported and clinically recorded number of teeth.ResultsThe mean difference between self-reported and clinically recorded number of teeth was low (− 0.22 teeth), and more than 70% of the participants reported their number of teeth within an error of two teeth. Correlations between self-reports and clinical examinations were high for the total sample (0.86 (Spearman) and 0.91 (Pearson)). However, a lower correlation was found among participants with dementia (0.74 (Spearman) and 0.85 (Pearson)), participants having ≥ 20 teeth (0.76 (Spearman) and 0.67 (Pearson)), and participants with ≥ 5 teeth restored or replaced by fixed prosthodontics (0.75 (Spearman) and 0.77 (Pearson)). Self-reports of having teeth or being edentulous were correct in 96.3% of the cases (kappa value 0.93, p value < 0.001).ConclusionsAmong older Norwegian adults, self-reported number of teeth agreed closely with clinical tooth counts and nearly all the edentulous participants correctly reported having no teeth.

Association between presence of 20 or more natural teeth and all-cause, cancer-related, and cardiovascular disease-related mortality: Yamagata (Takahata) prospective observational study

BackgroundSeveral studies have surveyed the relationship between the presence of ≥ 20 natural teeth and mortality. However, very few have evaluated this association over a long-term follow-up of more than ten years within a large population in Japan. This study aimed to prospectively confirm the associations between mortality and the presence of ≥ 20 natural teeth within a community-based population in Japan.MethodsA prospective observational study including 2208 participants aged ≥ 40 years was conducted in Takahata Town, Japan, between May 2005 and December 2016. All participants answered a self-administered questionnaire to provide their background characteristics, including their number of teeth. The participants were classified into two categories based on their self-reported number of teeth (< 20 and ≥ 20 teeth). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional-hazards regression model to assess risk factors for all-cause, cancer-, and cardiovascular disease-related mortality.ResultsThe total follow-up period was 131.4 ± 24.1 months (mean ± SD). After adjusting for covariates, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the group with < 20 teeth than in those with ≥ 20 teeth (HR = 1.604, 95% CI 1.007–2.555, p = 0.047). However, the risk of cancer- and cardiovascular disease-related mortalities was not statistically significant between the two groups.ConclusionIn this study, participants with < 20 teeth had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality, although the difference was borderline significant. These results emphasize the importance of having ≥ 20 natural teeth for a healthy life expectancy.

Sleep duration and remaining teeth among older people

BackgroundNo studies have examined the associations between the numbers of teeth and sleep disturbance. Therefore, we examined the associations between the number of teeth and sleep duration in older people, considering the evidence linking fewer teeth and sleep apnoea through changes in jaw position. MethodsFor this study we used information from a sample of 23,444 cohort participants, randomly selected from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study 2010 (N = 169,215). The outcome variable was self-reported sleep duration (h/day), and the explanatory variable was self-reported number of teeth (0, 1–9, 10–19, ≥20). We treated age, sex, body mass index, educational attainment, annual equalized household income, depressive symptoms, physical activity, activities of daily living, presence of diabetes, and smoking status as covariates. Multinomial logistic regression was used among the 20,548 eligible participants with all necessary information. ResultsThe mean age was 73.7 (standard deviation = 6.13) years. Most participants (28.1%) reported sleep duration of 7 h, while a small proportion of the participants reported short (≤4 h, 2.7%) or long (≥10 h, 4.7%) sleep duration. The proportion of edentulous participants was 14.7%. Taking the 7-h sleep duration as the reference category, edentulous participants (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.90) or one to nine teeth (RRR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.02–1.63) had a significantly higher relative risk ratio for short sleep, independent of covariates. Furthermore, they had a higher relative risk ratio for long sleep duration (RRR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.40–2.19; RRR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.21–1.81, respectively). ConclusionsCompared to people with 20 or more teeth, older adults with fewer than 10 teeth have higher risks for short and long sleep durations.

Impaired glucose metabolism is associated with tooth loss in middle-aged adults: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study 1966

AimWe investigated the association of impaired glucose metabolism with tooth loss in adults in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study 1966 (NFBC1966). MethodsWe examined 4394 participants from the 46-year follow-up of the NFBC1966. Self-reported number of teeth as well as insulin and glucose values, taken during a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), served as the primary study variables. A multinomial logistic regression model served to analyse (unadjusted, smoking-adjusted and fully adjusted) the association between number of teeth (0–24, 25–27, 28–32) and glucose metabolism in women and men. ResultsAmong women, type 2 diabetes – whether previously known or detected during screening – pointed to a higher likelihood of 0–24 teeth (fully adjusted OR = 2.99, 95%CI = 1.54–5.80) and 25–27 teeth (OR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.18–3.08) than did normal glucose tolerance. Similarly, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance together indicated a higher likelihood of 0–24 teeth (OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.09–2.69) than did normal glucose tolerance. A similar, statistically non-significant, pattern emerged among men. Number of teeth associated with OGTT insulin and glucose curves as well as with the Matsuda index in both women and men. ConclusionsTooth loss strongly associated with impaired glucose metabolism in middle-aged Finnish women.

Material, behavioural, cultural and psychosocial factors in the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities in oral health.

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the contribution of material, behavioural, cultural and psychosocial factors in the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities (education and income) in oral health of Dutch adults.MethodsCross-sectional data from participants (25–75 years of age) of the fifth wave of the GLOBE cohort were used (n = 2812). Questionnaires were used to obtain data on material factors (e.g. financial difficulties), behavioural factors (e.g. smoking), cultural factors (e.g. cultural activities) and psychosocial factors (e.g. psychological distress). Oral health outcomes were self-reported number of teeth and self-rated oral health (SROH). Mediation analysis, using multivariable negative binomial regression and logistic regression, was performed.ResultsEducation level and income showed a graded positive relationship with both oral health outcomes. Adding material, behavioural, cultural and psychosocial factors substantially reduced the rate ratio for the number of teeth of the lowest education group from 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75–0.83) to 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87–0.97) and of the lowest income group from 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73–0.88) to 1.04 (95% CI: 0.96–1.14). Inclusion of all factors also substantially reduced the odds ratio for poor SROH of the lowest education group from 1.61 (95% CI: 1.28–2.03) to 1.12 (95% CI: 0.85–1.48) and of the lowest income groups from 3.18 (95% CI: 2.13–4.74) to 1.48 (95% CI: 0.90–2.45).ConclusionIn general, behavioural factors contributed most to the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities in adult oral health, followed by material factors. The contribution of cultural and psychosocial factors was relatively moderate.

Tooth Loss and Decline in Functional Capacity: A Prospective Cohort Study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study.

To describe associations between tooth loss and changes in higher-level functional capacity. Prospective cohort study. Twenty-four Japanese municipalities between 2010 and 2013. Functionally independent community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older (N=62,333). Self-reported number of teeth was used as an exposure variable. The outcome was changes in higher-level functional capacity measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC), which consists of three domains: instrumental activities of daily living, intellectual activity, and social roles. The TMIG-IC score ranges from 0 (lowest function) to 13 (highest function). All covariates were chosen from baseline demographic, socioeconomic, health behavior, and health variables based upon evidence from previous studies. Inverse-probability weighting (IPW) with propensity score and multiple linear regression, estimating nonstandardized coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were used. The baseline response rate was 65.2%, and the follow-up rate was 70.1%. During the follow-up period, participants' TMIG-IC score declined by an average of 0.247 points (standard deviation: 1.446). The results showed a significant dose-response association between tooth loss and decline in higher-level functional capacity in multiple linear regression models. IPW models estimated the increment in TMIG-IC score (β=0.170, 95% CI=0.114 to 0.227) if edentulous participants gained 20 or more natural teeth. Tooth loss is associated with future decline in higher-level functional capacity. IPW models suggest that treatment for tooth loss attenuates decline in higher-level functional capacity.

Association of changes in income with self-rated oral health and chewing difficulties in adults in Southern Brazil.

To assess whether short-term changes in income (IC) in adulthood were associated with self-rated oral health (SROH) and chewing difficulties (CD). Secondary analysis of a longitudinal study in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil (EpiFloripa); a total of 1720 adults participated in 2009 and 1223 in 2012. Logistic regression analysed the variation of SROH and CD according to short-term changes in income (IC) groups ('high income-stable', 'increased income', 'decreased income' and 'low income-stable') and adjusted for covariates (age, sex, marital status, skin colour, self-reported number of teeth and education). After adjusting for covariates, participants in the 'decreased income' were more likely to have poor SROH and CD than those at the 'high income-stable' group (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.58; OR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.61, 4.74, respectively). Significant differences were also found between the 'low income-stable' and 'high income-stable' groups, but these differences were explained when adjusted for potential confounders. There were no significant differences in SROH and CD between the 'increased income' and the 'high income-stable' groups. Overall, SROH and CD were adversely influenced by negative changes in income during adulthood in a short period of 3 years.

SAT0089 The impact of periodontal disease on early inflammatory arthritis persists even after all teeth are lost

BackgroundData suggests that individuals with periodontal disease (PD) may be more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have worse disease activity. PD is a common inflammatory disease characterized by...

Association between tooth loss and obesity in Brazilian adults: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between tooth loss and general and central obesity among adults. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study with 1,720 adults aged 20 to 59 years from Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. Home interviews were performed and anthropometric measures were taken. Information on sociodemographic data, self-reported diabetes, self-reported number of teeth, central obesity (waist circumference [WC] &gt; 88 cm in women and &gt; 102 cm in men) and general obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) was collected. We used multivariable Poisson regression models to assess the association between general and central obesity and tooth loss after controlling for confounders. We also performed simple and multiple linear regressions by using BMI and WC as continuous variables. Interaction between age and tooth loss was also assessed. RESULTS: The mean BMI was 25.9 kg/m² (95%CI 25.6;26.2) in men and 25.4 kg/m2 (95%CI 25.0;25.7) in women. The mean WC was 79.3 cm (95%CI 78.4;80.1) in men and 88.4 cm (95%CI 87.6;89.2) in women. A positive association was found between the presence of less than 10 teeth in at least one arch and increased mean BMI and WC after adjusting for education level, self-reported diabetes, gender and monthly per capita income. However, this association was lost when the variable age was included in the model. The prevalence of general obesity was 50% higher in those with less than 10 teeth in at least one arch when compared with those with 10 or more teeth in both arches after adjusting for education level, self-reported diabetes and monthly per capita family income. However, the statistical significance was lost after controlling for age. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was associated with number of teeth, though it depended on the participants' age groups.

Dietary, self-reported oral health and socio-demographic predictors of general health status among older adults.

Poor dietary habits and nutritional intake are associated with a range of chronic diseases. Oral health may be directly associated with general health status, as well as related to diet. The aims are to assess dietary, self-reported oral health and socio-demographic predictors of general health status among older adults. Cross-sectional mailed survey. A random sample of adults in Adelaide, South Australia aged 60-71 years in 2008. Health status was measured using the EuroQol (EQ-5D). Compliance with dietary guidelines was measured using a 16-item index of grocery purchasing. Oral health was measured by self-reported number of teeth, oro-facial pain and sore gums. Socio-demographics included age, sex, birth place and subjective social status. Responses were collected from n=444 persons (response rate = 68.8%). The average EQ-5D score was 0.80 (se=0.01). Unadjusted analyses showed (p<0.05) EQ-5D scores were lower in the bottom tertile of compliance with dietary guidelines, for those reporting oro-facial pain, sore gums and fewer teeth, and for the lower social status group. Multivariate analyses showed (p<0.05) lower compliance with dietary guidelines was associated with poorer general health (beta=-0.10), as was oro-facial pain (beta=-0.11), sore gums (beta=-0.17), and lower social status (beta=-0.28). Socio-economic status, oral symptoms and compliance with dietary guidelines were associated with general health status.

Dental status and incident falls among older Japanese: a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo examine if self-reported number of teeth, denture use and chewing ability are associated with incident falls.DesignLongitudinal cohort study (the Aichi Gerontological Evaluation Study).Setting5 Japanese municipalities.Participants1763 community-dwelling individuals aged 65...

Grocery purchasing among older adults by chewing ability, dietary knowledge and socio-economic status

Nutrition plays a central role in health, with poor dietary habits and nutritional intake being associated with a range of chronic diseases. The aim was to examine grocery purchasing behaviour in relation to chewing ability, dietary knowledge and socio-economic status (SES) among older adults. Data were collected by mailed survey in 2008. Grocery purchasing was measured using a sixteen-item index of compliance of food purchasing with dietary guidelines. Self-reported number of teeth was classified as an inadequate dentition if less than twenty-one teeth were present. Chewing ability was based on a five-item chewing index. Dietary knowledge was collected using twenty true/false items. SES was assessed using a subjective social status rating representing where people stand in society. Population survey in Adelaide, South Australia. Adults aged 60-71 years. Responses were collected from 444 persons (response rate = 68·8 %). Among dentate persons, 24·4 % had an inadequate dentition with 10·3 % defined as 'chewing deficient'. Multivariate regression coefficients adjusted for age, sex and income showed chewing deficiency (-5·8) and low SES (-3·6) was associated (P < 0·05) with lower grocery purchasing scores, but dietary knowledge was not statistically significant. For older adults, chewing deficiency and lower social status were associated with lower compliance with dietary guidelines, independent of dietary knowledge.

Dental care practices and socio-economic status in Denmark.

abstract A sociologic survey of dental care practices and related attitudes and knowledge was conducted on 2071 16‐ to 45‐year‐old Danes in three selected areas. The complete findings were published in 1971 in a Danish thesis; only the findings on the frequency of dental visits (in childhood and at present), toothbrushing habits, and the selfreported number of teeth are presented here in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on the marked relationship of these factors to socio‐economic status, the latter being determined by the respondents' education and occupation. Among the 35‐ to 45‐year‐olds, 84 % of the “high” SES group made regular dental visits, as opposed to 55% of the “middle” and 37 % of the “low” SES group. Similar trends were demonstrated in all age groups and for all the parameters investigated.