Recent changes in health related dental behaviors in Norway

There has been a substantial decrease in the prevalence of caries in younger age groups in the western world during the last 15 years. A corresponding increase has been reported regarding use of preventive remedies. Since prevention and control of dental disease is highly dependent upon personal behavior, investigations of dental health behaviors within subgroups of the population are important for future preventive strategies. Occurrence and changes in individual dental health behaviors in Norway were studied through four sets of cross-sectional data collected in 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1987. Personal interviews performed by trained interviewers were held with probability samples, each of about 1400 persons, covering the Norwegian population aged 15 and above. During the 6-yr period the proportion of individuals who brushed their teeth and used fluoride dentifrice every day increased. The number of people who used toothpicks or dental floss every day also increased from 1981 to 1985. A marked decrease was, however, observed in use of interdental remedies from 1985 to 1987. Daily use of dental floss was reduced by 10 percent points. Logistic regression showed that the reduction in the probability of using interdental aids was most pronounced among those with few teeth. Lower importance attached to dental health education, at all levels, combined with difficult economic times since 1987, might account for the decrease in daily use of interdental aids in Norway.