[Oral health behavior in Germany and Switzerland]

This survey compares attitudes between populations in Switzerland and Germany, deemed to be important for maintaining oral health. Among others, three aspects were singled out: sugar consumption, smoking and oral hygiene. The annual sugar consumption per capita in Switzerland is 42% higher than in Germany, or 47 kg compared to 33 kg in Germany. The amount recommended by WHO, 22 kg per annum, is exceeded in Switzerland by 114%, in Germany by 50%. The annual cigarette consumption in Switzerland amounts to 2880 per capita, which is 59% higher than that of Germany with 1814. The annual use of tooth paste in Switzerland is an average 333 ml per capita, which corresponds to 53% of the minimal amount (628 ml) recommended by authorities. The annual per capita use of tooth paste in Germany averages 336 ml, or 54% of what is recommended. The annual usage of dental floss in Switzerland is on average 0.15 packets per capita, which is 4.1% of what is seen to be an adequate quantity of 3.65 packets. In Germany the corresponding figures are 0.08 packets and 2.2%. The usage of interdental brushes is minute in both countries with 0.05 packets in Switzerland and 0.04 packets in Germany. These data are contrary to what is often claimed in dental medical literature and mass media which is that the Swiss population is far better at an active oral health maintenance than the German population, due to the financial pressure on Swiss patients (private payments for dental services).