Risk indicators of caries experience among young adults.
BACKGROUND
Significant gains have been documented on the oral health of Australian children. However, the question remains as to whether improvements have extended to the oral health of young adults. This study aimed to determine the risk indicators associated with oral health status in young adults aged 20-25 years.


METHODS
A random sample of young adults was selected from the South Australian electoral roll. Telephone interviews were conducted for 1261 young adults. These provided socio-demographic, health behaviour and dental visiting data. Dental examinations were carried out on 644 subjects by three calibrated examiners in clinical settings.


RESULTS
The mean number of tooth surfaces affected by dental caries (DMFS) was 6.05 with the presence of untreated cavitated decayed surfaces (DS) evident in 28.6 per cent. In regression models the risk indicators associated with DS were being on government benefits, unemployed, usually visiting for a problem rather than a check, visiting a public clinic, drinking 5+ acidic drinks per day and being a current smoker. Risk indicators for higher DMFS scores were usually visiting for a problem, visiting a public clinic, being on government benefits and having made a dental visit in the previous 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Socio-demographic factors, dental visiting patterns and general health behaviours are risk indicators for caries in young adults.
Roberts-Thomson
K
K
Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Stewart
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003740:Dental Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D011632:Public Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data