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[Oral health and gender]
H Kalsbeek1, G J Truin, J H Poorterman
1Sector Preventieve en Curatieve Tandheelkunde, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Tandheelkunde
|April 4, 2002
Summary
Recent Dutch studies found no significant differences in oral health between genders. However, women showed fewer cavities and less plaque, potentially due to better dental hygiene and regular dental visits.
Area of Science:
- Oral epidemiology
- Public health dentistry
Background:
- Epidemiological studies in the Netherlands investigated oral health disparities.
- Previous research often highlighted gender-based differences in oral disease prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if significant differences exist in the prevalence of caries, periodontal diseases, and toothlessness between genders.
- To explore potential reasons for observed differences in oral health outcomes among adults.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recently performed epidemiological data from the Netherlands.
- Comparison of prevalence rates for dental caries, periodontal diseases, and toothlessness across different age groups and genders.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of caries, periodontal diseases, or toothlessness between boys and girls or men and women.
- Adult women had a smaller mean number of untreated caries lesions compared to men.
- Prevalence of plaque and calculus was lower in women than in men.
Conclusions:
- Overall oral health prevalence, including caries and periodontal disease, shows no significant gender disparity in the studied Dutch population.
- Lower rates of untreated caries and plaque/calculus in women may be linked to regular dental attendance and superior oral hygiene practices.