Severe tooth loss among UK adults--who goes for oral rehabilitation?

A random probability sample of 2667 United Kingdom (UK) addresses was selected in a multistage sampling process. Participants were interviewed about their oral health status--number of teeth possessed and denture status. In addition information was collected about their socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, social class and income level) and dental service factors--type of service used and difficulty accessing national health service (NHS) care. The response rate was 70%. Six percent (107) claimed they had less than 20 teeth but did not use a denture. Variations in this practice were apparent in relation to a number of socio-demographic factors: age (P < 0.05), gender (P < 0.01) and social class (P < 0.001) but not service related factors. In regression analysis, social class, gender and age emerged as important predictors of this practice. For example, those from lower social classes were approximately half as likely to use dentures despite experiencing considerable tooth loss (OR=0.53, 95% CI 0.34, 0.83), having controlling for other factors. More than one in 20, in Britain claim they have experienced considerable tooth loss but are without resource to a denture. Socio-demographic factors rather than service related factors are associated with this practice, particularly social class.