Caries experience among 45-54 year olds in Adelaide, South Australia.
BACKGROUND
Middle-aged adults are an important focus of dental policy with increasing retention of teeth and use of dental services. The aims of the study were to describe the caries experience of 45-54 year olds by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status.


METHODS
A random sample of 45-54 year olds from Adelaide, South Australia was surveyed by self-complete questionnaire during 2004-2005 with up to four follow-up mailings to non-respondents (n=879, response rate = 43.8 per cent). Oral examinations were performed by calibrated dentists on 709 persons (completion rate = 80.7 per cent).


RESULTS
The mean number (95% CI) of decayed teeth was 0.39 (0.31-0.47), with 5.25 (4.92-5.58) missing teeth, 11.0 (10.62-11.32) filled teeth, and DMFT was 16.61 (16.21-17.01). Multivariate regressions of caries experience by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status found: time since last visit of less than 12 months was related (P < 0.05) to fewer decayed teeth (beta = -0.40), more filled teeth (beta = 1.55) and a higher DMFT (beta = 1.24); a last visit for relief of pain was related to more decayed teeth (beta = 0.56); tooth brushing 8+ times per week was related to fewer decayed (beta = -0.36), and missing teeth (beta = -1.13), and lower DMFT (beta = -1.58); not cleaning between teeth was related to more missing teeth (beta = 0.94); males had fewer missing teeth (beta = -0.76); having a diploma/degree was related to fewer missing teeth (beta = -1.07) and lower DMFT (p = -1.27); card holder status was related to more missing teeth (beta= 1.26); and household income of $80,000+ was related to fewer missing teeth (beta= -0.96) and a lower DMFT (beta= -1.35).


CONCLUSIONS
Dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status were all related to caries experience. Overall DMFT was lower for those who brushed more frequently, had higher levels of education and higher household income.
Brennan
D S
DS
Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide, South Australia. david.brennan@adelaide.edu.au
Spencer
A J
AJ
Roberts-Thomson
K F
KF
D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D009067:Mouthwashes