[Utilization of dental services--results of an oral hygiene study in Saxony]

The utilisation of dental services is a precondition for professional preventive measures. The representative oral survey "Bevölkerungsrepräsentative Studie zum zahnärztlich-prothetischen Versorgungsgrad und Behandlungsbedarf" aimed at gaining data on the frequency and motives for dental visits and the existence of barriers. The sample consisted of 714 subjects aged fifteen years and older. It was representative for the German Federal State Saxony. Socio-economic and behavioural data were collected via self-completed questionnaire. The caries history was evaluated by assessing the DMFT Index. Data collection in 1996 was carried out by three calibrated dentists. Utilisation of dental services was found to be high. Subjective barriers played no crucial role in the decision to utilise dental services. Costs as an objective barrier to dental visits had a growing importance with age. Lower rates of tooth loss and enhanced levels of restoration were found in subjects aged over 24 years who regularly utilised dental services compared to subjects with non-regular utilisation. These differences were significant for subjects over 54 years (tooth loss) and subjects aged 25-44 years and over 54 years (level of restoration). Compared to previous studies the utilisation was similar or higher in our sample. The enhanced oral health belief paves the way for professional preventive measures. In the over 64-year-olds the need for regular dental visits was obvious and this age group must definitely be given more relevant information on the subject.