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Dental attendance and dental status
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|December 1, 1985
Summary
Frequent dental visits reduce tooth loss and decay but increase fillings, indicating they maintain function but don't prevent disease onset. This study highlights the complex relationship between dental attendance and oral health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Oral Health Research
Background:
- Dental attendance patterns are crucial for understanding oral health status.
- Variations in dental visits may correlate with differences in dental outcomes.
- Previous research has explored factors influencing dental attendance and status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between dental attendance frequency and dental status.
- To investigate how dental visits influence tooth loss, decay, and restorations.
- To identify differences in dental status between manual and non-manual workers based on attendance.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 336 dentate men and 110 dentate women from industrial plants in N.W. England (1980) were studied.
- Participants underwent dental examinations and reported on their dental visit frequency.
- Regression analysis was used to analyze the association between attendance patterns and dental status.
Main Results:
- More frequent dental visits correlated with lower tooth loss and fewer decayed teeth, but a higher number of fillings.
- Significant differences were observed between manual and non-manual workers regarding tooth loss and fillings.
- Frequent attenders had more functioning teeth but also higher levels of treated disease experience.
Conclusions:
- Frequent dental visits help postpone tooth loss and maintain dental function.
- However, regular attendance does not appear to prevent the onset of new dental disease.
- The findings suggest a complex interplay between dental care utilization and disease progression.