Trends in prevalence of complete tooth loss among Australians, 1979--2002

Edentulism is a key indicator of the oral health status of populations and is associated with reduced quality of life.

To describe temporal trends in the prevalence of edentulism in the Australian adult population.

Data were obtained from four national surveys of persons aged 15 years and over conducted in 1979, 1987/88, 1994 and 2002. Prevalence estimates and standard errors were calculated for each survey for males and females and each State/Territory. Birth cohort analysis was undertaken to track changes in prevalence across successive surveys. Data from the 1987/88, 1994 and 2002 surveys were age-standardised to the 1979 resident population estimates for each State and Territory and crude and adjusted prevalence estimates were compared.

The crude prevalence of edentulism declined from 20.5% (95% CI 20.1-20.7) in 1979 to 8.0% (95% CI 7.2-8.8) in 2002. The 2002 age-standardised estimate of 7.1% (95% CI 6.5-7.7) was only marginally lower. There were substantial reductions in prevalence of edentulism in all ages, sexes and State/Territories of Australia during the 23-year period. There were no significant changes in edentulism prevalence in three birth cohorts born since 1915.

Edentulism prevalence at least halved between 1979 and 2002 among all ages, sexes and States/Territories of Australia. There was no significant change in prevalence of edentulism in cohorts born since 1915, refuting the notion that the risk of edentulism increases due to ageing, suggesting instead today's elderly had historically high rates of extraction prior to the 1950s that have not been experienced by subsequent cohorts.