Esthetic perception of missing teeth among a group of Tanzanian adults.
OBJECTIVE
To assess esthetic perceptions among Tanzanian adults regarding missing teeth using a cross-sectional clinical study of a convenience sample of 5,532 subjects in the Northern coastal zone of Tanzania.


METHODS
The dental status of urban and rural Tanzanian adults (5,532 subjects, ages between 20 and 80 years) was recorded. A structured interview was used to assess esthetic perception (yes/no complaint) considering the location and number of missing teeth. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the effects of the variables age (2 groups: < or = 45 years vs > 45 years), gender, socioeconomic status (high/middle vs low), and residence (urban vs rural) on the number of complaints.


RESULTS
Of the subjects with 1 or more missing maxillary anterior teeth, 54% reported a complaint. Dissatisfaction was reported by significantly more subjects < or = 45 years of age and subjects with high/middle socioeconomic status. Gender and residence had no significant influence. Of the subjects with missing maxillary premolar(s) (no missing anterior teeth), 25% reported esthetic complaints (missing first premolar: 24%; missing second premolar: 11%; missing first and second premolar on the same side: 44%). Dissatisfaction was significantly greater in women, subjects < or = 45 years of age, and subjects with high/middle socioeconomic status. Residence had no significant influence. Fewer than 1% of the subjects were dissatisfied with missing maxillary molars.


CONCLUSIONS
Among this group of Tanzanian adults, absence of teeth played a considerable role in the esthetic appreciation of their dentition. Complaints were associated with both number and location of missing teeth.
Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, College of Dental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.gerritsen@dent.umcn.nl
Anneloes E
AE
Gerritsen
Paulo
P
Sarita
Dick J
DJ
Witter
Cees M
CM
Kreulen
Jan
J
Mulder
Nico H J
NH
Creugers
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013636:Tanzania; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population