Subsidized dental care associated with lower mutans streptococci count in male industrial workers

Salivary mutans streptococci count, dental status, and related factors were studied in male industrial workers (age 38-65 years) with or without access to subsidized dental care. Altogether 315 subsidized workers and 168 controls without subsidy were compared. A prior questionnaire survey had shown that the two study groups were similar in age, oral self-care habits, and socio-environmental factors. In the present study, the mean number of carious teeth was significantly lower in the subsidized group (0.4, SD 1.2) than in the control group (1.7, SD 3.2) (P< 0.001). Otherwise the study groups had similar dental status. A total of 92% subsidized employees had visited a dentist within the past 2 years, while 82% in the control group had done so (P< 0.01). According to the trend test, men in the subsidized group tended to have a lower mutans streptococci count than the control employees (P< 0.01). The logistic regression showed that the probability of having one or more carious tooth was significantly negatively associated with subsidized care and positively associated with high mutans streptococci count. It is concluded that subsidized dental care leading to a smaller number of untreated carious teeth might result in decreased levels of mutans streptococci.