Household income in relation to dental health and dental health behaviours: the use of Super Profiles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between household income defined by Super Profiles, a socio-economic indicator, and dental health and dental health behaviours.


METHODS
Analytical survey involving a clinical examination and a questionnaire to parents.


METHODS
Primary schools in Salford, UK.


METHODS
Two thousand five hundred and seventy eight 5-year-old children were examined; 1938 (75%) returned questionnaires.


METHODS
Mean caries experience and ages at first visit to dentist and when toothbrushing commenced.


RESULTS
Children in the highest income group had a mean dmft of 1.83 compared with 2.56 in the middle group and 3.43 in the lowest income group. The proportions who had visited a dentist by their second birthday were 71%, 64% and 62% respectively. The corresponding proportions having their teeth brushed by their first birthday were 69%, 58% and 57%.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed a relationship between Super Profiles, and the dental health and dental health behaviours of 5-year-old children.
Whittle
J G
JG
South and East Lancashire Health Authorities, UK.
Whittle
K W
KW
D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008019:Life Style; D009909:Oral Health; D010808:Physical Examination; D011203:Poverty; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data