Trends in toothbrushing and utilization of dental services in Finland

Prevention and control of common dental diseases highly depends on individual behavior, and during the last decades, individuals have increasingly been required to take responsibility for their own oral health. In Finland the rate of toothbrushing and dental visits were first surveyed nationwide in 1971 by interviews with a sample of 1063 individuals, drawn to represent the total population aged 15 yr and over. At the time, 68% of the 829 dentulous interviewees claimed to brush at least once a day. Using another sample of 1006 interviewees, drawn in the same manner, in 1990 the brushing rate was found to have increased to 91% in 853 dentulous subjects. Daily brushing was more frequent among women (98%) than men (83%). The most distinct positive change regarding brushing frequency was found among men and those with only elementary education. In 1971 the interval between the two most recent dental visits was 1 yr or less for 44% of all the interviewees and for 25% it was more than 5 yr. In 1990, 53% of the interviewees had visited a dentist within a year and the visiting interval was more than 5 yr for 16%. The youngest subjects were the most frequent visitors: 60% of them in 1971 and 74% in 1990. The results indicate a clear trend toward more frequent brushing in Finland. However, this trend regarding dental visits does not seem to be equally remarkable.