Oral Health among Adult Residents in Vilnius, Lithuania

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Dental Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Oral conditions are influenced by a complex interplay of social, biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors, as recognized by the WHO.
• Assessing oral health status and its determinants is crucial for developing effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the oral health status of adult residents in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• To identify biological and behavioral determinants associated with oral health conditions in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 453 adults aged 35-74 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• Data collection included self-reported questionnaires and clinical assessments of dental caries experience (D3MFS), periodontal probing depth (PPD), and missing teeth.
• Statistical analysis employed chi-squared tests, independent samples t-tests, and multivariable linear regression.

Main Results:

• The study revealed poor oral health, with a mean D3MFS score of 67.3, a mean of 5.9 teeth with PPD 4+ mm (33% periodontitis prevalence), and a mean of 6.9 missing teeth (3.8% edentulism).
• Medication use, age, sugar-containing diet, smoking, systemic diseases, last dental visit, and fluoridated toothpaste use were significantly associated with various oral health outcomes.
• Specifically, medication use was linked to all oral health conditions, while behavioral factors like diet, smoking, and dental visit history showed significant associations.

Conclusions:

• Adult oral health in Vilnius is suboptimal, characterized by high levels of dental caries and tooth loss.
• Oral health outcomes are significantly associated with both biological (e.g., age, systemic diseases) and behavioral determinants (e.g., diet, smoking, hygiene practices).
• Future oral health promotion initiatives should prioritize modifying behavioral determinants to improve oral health status in the adult population.